Grant: Idea to Innovation

Our objective is to create a prototype of a microfluidic optical trapping device. This device is based on our record-breaking patent-pending technology to trap nanoparticles with low non-damaging and safe intensity laser beams. We have already demonstrated the capability within our research lab: 1) to trap, manipulate and bind single proteins and similarly sized nanoparticles (<10 nm); 2) to integrate the trapping platform into a microfluidic delivery environment; and 3) to add additional spectroscopic functionality to the trapping setup. As is consistent with a Phase I I2I, the objective here is to convert these research-based results to a marketable prototype.The main challenge will be to translate the existing research results into a glass-based microfluidic device that can be demonstrated to potential clients. The traditional glass-based microfluidics usehigh-temperature processes that are not compatible with the nanofabricated structures in the optical trap, and so a low-temperature sol-gel process will be developed for the integration. Finally, cost-reducing nanofabrication approaches will be developed and evaluated.If successful, the established prototype will be used to introduce our technology to potential clients. Following this project, we will seek partnership opportunities with Canadian microfluidics companies with whom we have already begun discussions. The primary market that we plan to enter is in the established optical trapping research community. A secondary and larger market that we plan to target down-the-road relates to in vitro diagnostics, particularly point-of-care devices and molecular diagnostics.