SBIR Phae I: High Resolution Spintronic Sensors for Bioassay Analyzers

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project addresses the need for low-cost, portable, and fast analysis biosensors for the detection of biological and chemical pathogens in consumer and point-of-care diagnostic test kits. Magnetic biosensors fuse spintronics and biosensing technologies to improve bioassay analysis over current fluorescent and chemical-luminescent systems. This program incorporates a high-density form of magnetoresistive random access memory, called VMRAM, with current magnetic biosensing approaches in order to maximize sensor density and resolution by facilitating single-tag detection. Performance goals for the program are sensitivity to 1-10 magnetic tags and a signal level of 100uV per tag. The technology proposed addresses the need for hand-held bioassay detectors that can be sold cheaper and provide fast analysis in response to the need to prevent the dissemination of biological and chemical pathogens worldwide. Aside from the first responder community, commercial markets for advanced integrated magnetic bioassay sensors include single-test, disposable consumer test kit and point-of-care multi-pathogen test platforms.