SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION
PROJECT SUMMARY
Proposal Number:
Project Title:
MICROCHIP CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS SENSOR
Technical Abstract:
The project objective is to develop an integrated capillary electrophoresis sensor capable
of monitoring impurities in water systems. The goal of the Phase I work is to demonstrate an
innovative low cost manufacturing method for a microchip capillary electrophoresis sensor that
incorporates Deacon Research's proprietary detection geometry. The manufacturing method will
be low cost because it relies on wafer scale manufacturing processes which are similar to existing
semiconductor processes. The volume scalable manufacturing process allows our capillary
electrophoresis microchip to be low cost. The cost, below $10 per chip, will be far lower than
costs of comparable capillary electrophoresis units. The low cost architecture allows for the first
time a capillary electrophoresis sensor that has an easily disposable chip. The unique design of
our microchip will eliminate the need for any cleaning and processing of the column between
measurements. The manufacturing innovation we will demonstrate in Phase I will provide NASA
with a low cost, compact instrument which can be used on the space shuttle to monitor water
quality.
Potential Commercial Applications:
Our integrated capillary electrophoresis sensor will create a means to perform low cost, rapid, accurate water
quality analysis. Waters Chromatography has already expressed support for our device and the desire to help
us in bringing our sensor to market in a future Phase III collaboration.
Name and Address of Offeror:
Deacon Research
2440 Embarcadero Way
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) &
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Programs
Electronic Management System (EMS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The SBIR/STTR EMS site is maintained by Steve
Hu, Hughes STX.
For comments and questions, contact
webmaster@sbir.hq.nasa.gov.
Updated: Feb. 7, 1996