Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2021 - 26
Test & Measurement
between the samples that could help the
sensor-based system identify the disease.
In testing the same samples, the artificial
system was able to match the success
rates of the dogs.
The miniaturized detection system is
actually 200 times more sensitive than a
dog's nose in terms of being able to detect
and identify tiny traces of different molecules. But in terms of interpreting those
molecules, it is much less effective. That's
where machine learning is used to find
the elusive patterns that dogs can infer
from the scent but humans haven't been
able to grasp from a chemical analysis.
While the physical apparatus for detecting and analyzing the molecules in
air has been under development for several years - with much of the focus on
reducing its size - until now, the analy-
sis was lacking. This achievement provides a solid framework for further research to develop the technology to a
level suitable for clinical use.
The researchers hope to test a far larger set of samples - perhaps 5,000 - to
pinpoint in greater detail the significant
indicators of disease.
For more information, contact Abby
Abazorius at abbya@mit.edu; 617-253-2709.
Device Measures Toxic Lead in Minutes
The portable lab-on-a-chip detects many contaminants in water supplies.
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
A
miniature device was developed for
measuring trace levels of toxic lead
in sediment at the bottom of harbors,
rivers, and other waterways within minutes - far faster than currently available
laboratory-based tests, which take days.
The affordable lab-on-a-chip device
could also allow municipalities, water
companies, universities, schools, daycare
facilities, and homeowners to easily and
swiftly test their water supplies.
In addition to detecting lead contamination in environmental samples or
water in pipes, a user could check
whether the fish they ordered at a sushi
bar has lead or mercury in it. Detecting
toxic metals like lead, mercury, and copper normally requires collecting samples
and sending them to a lab for costly
analysis, with results returned in days.
The new sensitive, inexpensive device
can easily be carried and analyzes samples on-site within minutes to rapidly
identify hot spots of contamination.
The research focused on analyzing
lead in sediment samples. Many river
sediments in New Jersey and nationwide
are contaminated by industrial and
other waste dumped decades ago. Proper management of contaminated materials dredged from navigational channels
is important to limit potential impact on
Pb
Pb
Pb
Sediment
Digestion
wildlife, agriculture, plants, and food
supplies. Quick identification of contaminated areas could enable timely and
cost-effective programs to manage such
materials.
The new device extracts lead from a
sediment sample and purifies it, with a
thin film of graphene oxide as a lead
detector (graphene is an atom-thick layer
of graphite - the writing material in pencils). More research is needed to further
validate the device's performance and
increase its durability so it can become a
viable commercial product.
For more information, contact Todd Bates
at todd.bates@rutgers.edu; 848-932-0550.
Pb
Pb
Pb
Sediment
Collection
Pb
Pb
Pb
Pb
Pb
Sedim
ent
Lead Analysis
Pb2++2e
Pb
Sediment collected by a ship can be rapidly tested for toxic lead with the portable lab-on-a-chip device. The miniature device extracts lead from a sample and purifies it, using graphene oxide as a lead detector. (Image: Azam Gholizadeh)
26
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Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2021
Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2021 - Intro
Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2021 - Sponsor
Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2021 - Cov1
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