Wednesday, January 15, 2025
1/15/2025
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.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).