a microfluidic capillary-based sensor technology for vitamin analysis

本提案旨在支持最近开发的用于维生素D3诊断的微流体传感器技术的市场评估。该传感器基于荧光微血管和相关微结构，这些微结构是用我们开发的一种方法生产的，该方法是用一层发光纳米复合材料涂层材料。本质上，当用蓝色激光或发光二极管激发时，毛细管的内部（通道）壁成为一个有效的光发射器。在这项技术中，当含有维生素D3（或25(OH)D）的液体通过毛细管时，发出的荧光会发生可测量的变化，形成传感机制的基础。这种结构有许多吸引人的特点，其中之一就是几乎任何液体，甚至是粘稠的液体，如豆油（可食用胶囊中维生素D3的常见溶剂），都可以通过泵输送并测量。因此，人们可以设想这种传感器在维生素分析中的许多可能应用，其中必须测量少量液体。本提案要求为这项技术的市场评估提供资金。

This proposal is to support a market assessment of recently-developed microfluidic sensor technology for vitamin D3 diagnostics. The sensor is based on fluorescent microcapillaries and related microstructures that are produced using a method we developed for coating materials with a layer of light-emitting nanocomposite material. Essentially, the interior (channel) wall of the capillary becomes an efficient light-emitter, when excited with a blue laser or light-emitting diode. In this technology, when fluids containing vitamin D3 (or, 25(OH)D) are passed through the capillary, the emitted fluorescence changes measurably, forming the basis of the sensing mechanism. The structure has many attractive characteristics, one of which is that virtually any fluid, even viscous ones such as soy oil (a common solvent for vit D3 in edible capsules), can be pumped through and measured. Thus, one can envision many possible applications for such a sensor for vitamin analysis in which small fluid quantities must be measured. This proposal requests funding for a market assessment of this technology.