SBIR Phase I: Fluidic Processor

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将支持能够执行复杂流体处理的流体处理器的开发。在第一阶段，我们将展示该设备在二维液相色谱（2DLC）中的实用性，其中现有的阀门技术目前严重限制了2DLC的性能。该项目旨在从根本上改变流体在流体系统中移动、切换、处理、存储和检测的方式。目前最先进的流体开关设备，如旋转阀和电磁阀，在单一维度上驱动，从而严重限制了流体计算和排列，可以从单个甚至多个连接的设备中得到。此外，由于它们是一维器件，因此存在分析物结转、通道串扰等问题，并且通常在设计上受到限制。这一新颖的概念打破了限制当前流体实现的传统设计障碍。为了实现这一目标，该概念超越了单一维度，并在阀门的背景下包含了二维和三维流体处理。该项目将形成一个随机访问、多维度、多用途的阀门平台，具体应用于代谢组学和蛋白质组学分离。该活动的更广泛影响包括该设备的应用，以极大地扩展仪器的研究和分析能力，用于二维分离，食品测试，药物发现，转基因生物测试以及其他关键的分析和生物处理应用。该设备解决了最棘手的微观和宏观流体的接口问题，并实现了对流体的大规模并行操作。该项目还将为本科生提供培训和研究经验。如果成功，该项目将为系统生物学研究的新领域做出贡献，旨在推动对生化相互作用、机制和生物标志物发现的更多了解。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will support the development of a fluidic processor capable of performing complex fluidic processes. In Phase I, we will demonstrate the utility of this device in two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2DLC), where existing valve technologies currently severely limit the performance of 2DLC. This project seeks to radically change the way fluids are moved, switched, processed, stored, and detected within a fluidics system. Current state-of-the-art fluid switching devices, such as rotary and solenoid valves, actuate in a single dimension thereby severely limiting the fluidic calculations and permutations that can be derived from single or even multiple concatenated devices. Furthermore, because they are one-dimensional devices, they have problems with analyte carry over, channel cross talk, and are generally design limited. This novel concept breaks down the traditional design barriers that constrain the implementation of current fluidics. To accomplish this, the concept transcends the single dimension and embraces two- and three-dimensional fluid processing in the context of a valve. The project will result in a random access, multi-dimensional, multi-purpose valve platform with specific application to metabolomics and proteomics separations. The broader impacts of this activity include application of the device to greatly expand research and analytical capabilities of instruments for 2-dimensional separations, food testing, drug discovery, GMO testing, and other critical analytical and bioprocessing applications. The device addresses the most vexing problem of interfacing of micro and macro fluidics and enables massively parallel manipulation of fluids. The project also will train and provide research experience for undergraduates. If successful, this project will contribute and enable new frontiers of systems biology research aimed at driving greater knowledge of biochemical interactions, mechanisms and biomarker discovery.