Mechanically-Active Microcomposite MEMS Fluidic Devices with Optical Detection for Integration Bioanalysis

The proposed SBIR program would accelerate the commercialization of low-cost miniaturized bioanalysis instrumentation and its use in both DoD and commercial systems. F&S (Fiber and Sensor Technologies, Inc.) proposes to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating mechanically-active polymer microcomposites with evanescent field grating-based optical sensor elements to store, pump and analyze molecules, agents and toxins in biological fluids. Prototype microfluidic device fabrication using microelectronic lithographic techniques would allow transport and detection in microscale devices, and would lead to the upscaled precision replication of devices at low per-unit cost. Through other DoD programs, F&S has individually demonstrated the use of mechanically-active polymer microcomposite diaphragms in small optical fiber pressure sensors, their similar use as microactuators in ectched silicon microchip-based optical fiber biological and chemical sensors. F&S would work cooperatively with AT&T Bell Laboratories, Litton Industries, the NASA-Langely Reserch Center and Virginia Tech to develop and transition this technology to manufactured products. F&S envisions immediate product opportunities in DoD and dual-use civilian health care applications. Non-federal product commercialization funding is pledged for Phase I and Phase II programs.