STTR Phase I: Magnetohydrodynamic-based Circular Liquid Chromatography

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to develop a magnetohydrodynamically (MHD) based, closed-loop liquid chromatographic (LC) technology. The work will improve on exiting technologies to allow more specific purification of desired materials. Existing LCs consist of a fixed length column that cannot adjust according to the separation task in mind. Using a column bent into a closed loop that has virtual infinite length and should allow one to achieve very precise separations and purification of compounds will alleviate the MHD system. Liquid chromatography is a mature technology that is often used in chemical, biological, and medical laboratories for separation and purification of macromolecules. The shortcomings of fixed length columns have long been recognized. This novel MHD approach will allow for increased separation and thus better purification of such macromolecules for use as research reagents as well as in the drug development market.