SBIR/STTR Phase II: A Novel Technique for Polymer Encapsulation of Nanopowders

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will focus on developing polymer coated superparamagnetic nanobeads for isolation of biomolecules; namely cells and nucleic acids. The superparamagnetic nature along with the "nano" size of the particles offers low remnant magnetism, magnetization at low fields, and larger active surface area per unit volume. A proprietary microwave plasma synthesis technique was adopted to reduce these nanospheres and the feasibility of the technique was established during Phase I. Process scale up and extensive cell/DNA isolation testing will be the main R&D objectives for the Phase II project. Industrial partners will evaluate beads produced to evaluate parameters, which are critical for transitioning the technology to an immediate useful product. The commercial potential of polymer coated nanospheres can be used in various separation modules. This technology could also be extended to isolation and detection of pathogens in water.