Integrated microfluidic chip for on-chip separation and
This technology is a miniaturized lab-on-a-chip device that separates complex liquid mixtures—such as biological samples—and automatically sorts the separated components into a grid of tiny reservoirs, all on a single chip. It uses liquid chromatography to do the separation, then an electric-field-driven mechanism to move the fractions sideways into the reservoir array without leaking or mixing. The clever valve design relies purely on the physics of tiny channel geometry rather than mechanical parts. The result is a fully integrated system where samples can be analyzed directly on the chip without transferring liquids to other instruments.
What you could build
A disposable or reusable microfluidic chip for high-throughput proteomics, metabolomics, or drug discovery screening workflows, sold to pharmaceutical research labs, biotech companies, and academic core facilities that need faster, lower-volume sample processing than conventional bench-top LC systems.
Who in Virginia should care
Contract research organizations, federal biodefense labs (NIH, USAMRIID adjacents), and biotech firms in the Northern Virginia/DC corridor or Richmond research parks with proteomics or diagnostics programs would be natural contacts.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Iuliana M. Lazar
- Granted
- June 29, 2010
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 7744762
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.