Circular Plasmonic Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

SUMMARY

Lehigh University has developed a compact plasmonic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) integrated on a microfluidic chip for highly sensitive optical biosensing.

This technique combines nanoplasmonic architecture and sensitive interferometric techniques on a compact sensing platform for enhanced refractive index sensitivity. The inventors have demonstrated real-time, label-free, quantitative monitoring with high signal-to-noise ratio.

This technology is primarily applicable to mobile and remote uses. Lehigh Tech ID# 090811-01

This technology is protected by a United States Patent Application.

THE MARKET

The worldwide market for biosensors was $6.72 billion in 2009, growing at an annual rate of over 11% until 2016, where it is estimated to reach $14.42 billion.[1] Applications for biosensors are growing, increasing demand and revenues for these technologies.^{^[2]} There is also a push in the market for miniaturized biosensor devices in order to integrate them into portable systems, providing a window of opportunity for new technologies entering the market with such an “on-chip” focus.^{^[3]}

^{^[1]^{“Analytical Review of World Biosensors Market.” June 8, 2010. Frost and Sullivan web site (subscription required).}^{http://www.frost.com}^{(accessed September 21, 2010).}

^[2]^{“Strong Growth in Biosensors Market as Usage Increases Over a Range of Applications,” Research and Markets web site,}^{http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071115005510&newsLang=en}^{(accessed February 11, 2010).}

^[3]^{John H.T. Luong, Keith B. Male, and Jeremy D. Glennon. “Biosensor technology: Technology push versus market pull.” Biotechnology Advances. Volume 26, Issue 5, September-October 2008. (accessed September 21, 2010).}}

THE OPPORTUNITY

Lehigh is interested in licensing this technology.

App Type	Country	Serial No.	Patent No.	File Date	Issued Date	Expire Date
Provisional [PR]	United States	61/532,791		9/9/2011
Patent Cooperation Treaty [PCT]	United States	PCT/US2012/053882		9/6/2012		7/8/2015
Utility	United States	14/343,906	9,297,955	3/10/2014	3/29/2016	3/29/2036

Category(s):

Engineering

Software and Computer

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For Information, Contact:

Rick Smith

Director

Lehigh University

res419@lehigh.edu

Inventors:

Filbert Bartoli

Qiaoqiang Gan