Optical, Nanomechanical and Electrochemical Sensing on a DVD Disc

Our vision is to create a platform where optical, nanomecanical and electrochemical sensors can be integrated and read-out using the mechanics and the optics from DVDs and Blu-Rays. Integrating sensors on a disc allows us to use centrifugal microfluidis which has been developed for more than 50 years and which has proven to be a simple and powerful way to manipulate liquid samples without the need of external pumps [1]. As an example, serum can be separated from a whole blood sample in a few minutes by simply spinning the disc and allowing the cellular components to sediment.

Cantilever-like sensors have been integrated on a disc [2] and we now have a method of obtaining large amount of data – allowing us to do statistics on the measurements. Currently, we are studying the specific detection of biomarkers, such as suPAR [3]. Additionally, we try to implement optical microscopy on the spinning platform in order to study and count larger objects such as cells. In this way it will be possible to analyze a given sample for several parameters simultaneously.

Electrodes can also be integrated on the spinning platform [4] and hereby it is possible to perform electrochemical measurements at the same time as having the benefit of the centrifugal liquid handling. As an example it is simple to measure in flow conditions and to perform continuous cyclic voltammograms  in different concentrations of electrolytes using built-in valves.

In conclusion, the merger of sensors and centrifugal microfluidcs combined with sensitive and compact read-out possibilities from optical pick-up heads makes it possible to realize full sample pretreatment and read-out in a both fast and compact manner. 

References:

1. M. Madou et al., Lab on a CD, Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering, Vol. 8: 601-628, 2016

2. F.G Bosco et al., High throughput label-free platform for statistical bio-molecular sensing, Lab on a Chip, 11(14) 2411-2416, 2011

3. M. Bache et al., Nanomechanical recognition of prognostic biomarker suPAR with DVD-ROM optical technology, Nanotechnology 24 (44), 444011, 2013

4. A.L. Brøgger et al., Centrifugal microfluidic platform with real-time electrochemical detection, 224th Electrochemical Society Meeting, 2013