Micro Breath Biomarker Analyzer

Project Summary This Phase I SBIR will develop a microfabricated breath biomarker analyzer. There is an unmet need for easy-to-use, cost-effective, miniature devices for rapid, specific, and sensitive analysis of breath biomarkers, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The proposed analyzer is built on high-performance MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) gas chromatography (GC) columns. A preliminary study demonstrated the MEMS column’s high separation efficiency and speed, and developed a functional prototype of one-dimensional micro GC with a single MEMS column. In this Phase I study, the MEMS column technology will be adopted to develop a microfabricated comprehensive two-dimensional GC (micro GCxGC), so as to significantly improve the separation power of micro GC and address the need for breath VOC biomarker/profile analysis. Phase I specific aims are to create a prototype sampling device for extraction and preconcentration of breath VOCs, demonstrate GCxGC with two MEMS columns having orthogonal selectivity for breath VOCs on a benchtop GC, and create a proof-of-concept prototype of the proposed MEMS column based breath VOC analyzer. The proposed product aims to address the unmet need for point-of-need breath biomarker studies. It is expected to have wide applications for personal exposure assessment and health status monitoring.Project Narrative There is an unmet need for point-of-need breath biomarker analysis. The proposed micro analyzer aims to address the unmet need and provide a non-invasive, non-hazardous tool for personal exposure assessment and health status monitoring.