MARYLAND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIPS

MIPS Project Detail:

Diagnostic anSERS Inc.

Field-based detection of narcotics using P-SERS

Project #

5508

 | 

Round 

55

 | 

Feb 2015

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Company

Diagnostic anSERS Inc.

College Park

Prince George’s

 County
, Maryland
  |  
Founded: 

2012

  |  

Company Description: 

Diagnostic anSERS Inc. is dedicated to producing affordable, ink-jet-printed SERS substrates, which served as sensors to measure trace amounts of chemicals, such as pesticides or narcotics. However, the sheer cost of the non-reusable SERS sensors, which are frequently manufactured in clean rooms, drastically limit their use. Through a patented ink-jet printing process, Diagnostic anSERS’ P-SERS™ sensors are produced at a fraction of the cost without sacrificing sensitivity. In addition to being used as a “traditional” SERS substrate (pipetted on sample), the wicking and flexible nature of P-SERSTM sensors enabled their use as swabs and or dipsticks, and when combined with portable Raman spectrometers, can be performed out of a lab and in the field.

MIPS Project

Round 

55

 - 

Feb 2015

Field-based detection of narcotics using P-SERS

Project #

5508

 | 

MIPS Round 

55

 | 

Starting Date: 

Feb 2015

MIPS Project Challenge:
The goal of Diagnostic anSERS’ second MIPS project was to improve the limit of detection for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on P-SERS devices to identify impaired drivers.

Project Scope:
For the second MIPS project, researchers planned to develop a field-optimized methodology for THC detection utilizing THC-capturing membranes and lateralflow concentration, and quantify the performance improvement with this methodology. They then sought to develop a chemically stable plasmonic ink based on gold nanoparticles with a THC-capturing surface modification and quantify the performance improvement for substrates fabricated with this ink.

Additional grant funding came from TEDCO (TechStart & MII) and an NSF SBIR Phase I.
-

Results: 

For the first MIPS project, new knowledge was created in terms of generating unique nanostructures and extending the company’s product shelf life through unique ink formulations. This research was used to aid the initial P-SERS™ product line.

Additional Mtech/UMD programs utilized:
University of Maryland $75K Business Plan Competition, Pitch Dingman, Cupid’s Cup, Entrepreneur Office Hours

Diagnostic anSERS obtained an exclusive license for its technology from the Office of Technology Commercialization at the University of Maryland.

Principal Investigator:

Ian

 

White

Associate Professor, Fischell Department of Bioengineering

Project Manager: 

Eric

 

Hoppmann

President & Co-Founder

Technologies:

Biotechnology / Genetic Engineering