PFI:AIR - TT: Commercialization of Nanomembrane-based SERS sensors

PFI:AIR - TT：基于纳米膜的 SERS 传感器的商业化

• 批准号: 1601850
• 负责人: James McGrath
• 金额: $ 19.94万
• 依托单位: University of Rochester
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2016-05-01 至 2018-10-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1601850&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: PFI; AIR; TT; Commercialization; Nanomembrane

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating a novel photonic material with exceptional molecular recognition capabilities. Current molecular sensors are complex, expensive and suffer from limited reproducibility and scalability. These facts have hampered the adoption of molecular sensors despite immense industrial and scientific interest from the fields of forensics, toxicology, and biomedicine. Highly scalable and inexpensive, SERF (Sensitive Erasable Reproducible Flow-through) sensors will lead to an era of ubiquitous molecular identification devices for diverse applications such as biometric and health screening, trace hazard detection (biohazards, toxins, drugs, and explosive residues), and chemical quality control. In addition to affordable manufacturing, the SERF technology has a 7 fold higher sensitivity and greater uniformity than the leading commercial substrate (Klarite(TM); Renishaw Inc.). The SERF sensor also has first-of-a-kind capabilities in flow-through detection and surface cleaning for reuse. The project will identify the most commercially viable molecular target for the SERF sensor and optimize the material and a prototype for the detection of this molecule. This project addresses several technology gaps as it translates a laboratory discovery into a commercial application. First, composed of a high density of optically responsive nanopores rather than the low-density micropatterned features, the SERF sensor improves both the sensitivity and uniformity of detection compared to the leading photonic-based sensors. Second, as a porous structure the SERF technology allows sample flow through the sensor, overcoming diffusion limited response times that are impractical (days) for trace molecules with existing sensors. Finally, the SERF sensor can be reused or cleaned with the application of a small current through its contiguous metallic surface. This feature can be used to reset sensors and to overcome performance loss due to fouling. The project brings together a world-leading nanomembrane manufacturer (Roussie Co-PI; SiMPore Inc.) with a leading nanomembrane research laboratory (McGrath PI; University of Rochester) and world-class experts in photonics (Webb Co-PI; Nottingham University) to translate a novel laboratory discovery toward commercial impact in industries that improve human welfare. A University of Rochester graduate student and co-inventor of the SERF technology will receive hands on entrepreneurship training by working with PIs and Co-PIs in customer discovery interviews and in the development of a business model canvas.

这个PFI：AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译一种具有特殊分子识别能力的新型光子材料。目前的分子传感器是复杂的，昂贵的，并遭受有限的再现性和可扩展性。这些事实阻碍了分子传感器的采用，尽管来自法医学、毒理学和生物医学领域的巨大工业和科学兴趣。SERF（Sensitive Erdibrant Reproducible Flow-through）传感器具有高度可扩展性且价格低廉，它将引领一个无处不在的分子识别设备时代，用于各种应用，如生物识别和健康筛查、痕量危害检测（生物危害、毒素、药物和爆炸残留物）以及化学质量控制。除了生产成本低廉外，SERF技术的灵敏度和均匀性比领先的商业基板（Klarite（TM）; Renishaw Inc.）高7倍。SERF传感器还具有一流的流通检测和表面清洁功能，可重复使用。该项目将为SERF传感器确定最具商业可行性的分子目标，并优化材料和检测这种分子的原型。该项目解决了几个技术差距，因为它将实验室发现转化为商业应用。首先，SERF传感器由高密度的光学响应纳米孔而不是低密度的微图案化特征组成，与领先的基于光子的传感器相比，SERF传感器提高了检测的灵敏度和均匀性。其次，作为多孔结构，SERF技术允许样品流过传感器，克服了扩散限制的响应时间，这对于现有传感器的痕量分子是不切实际的（数天）。最后，SERF传感器可以重复使用或通过其连续金属表面施加小电流来清洁。该功能可用于重置传感器并克服由于结垢而导致的性能损失。 该项目汇集了一家世界领先的纳米膜制造商（SiMPore Inc.）与领先的纳米膜研究实验室（麦格拉思PI;罗切斯特大学）和世界级的光子学专家（Webb Co-PI;诺丁汉大学）合作，将一项新的实验室发现转化为提高人类福利的行业的商业影响。罗切斯特大学的一名研究生和SERF技术的共同发明者将通过与PI和Co-PI合作进行客户发现访谈和开发商业模式画布来接受创业培训。