TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The invention describes a fast, highly sensitive, low cost and integrated method for quantitative concentration measurement and detection of analytes. Its working principle relies on the controlled dewetting of a solution (containing analyte(s)) on a sampling susbstrate patterned at the micro or nano length scale with functionnalized specific capture sites. The capillary assembly mechanisms occurring in such configurations provide a fast and efficient way for concentrating the solution and assemble analytes on the sampling engineered sites. More than one million events can be analysed at the same time on the same substrate.

According to theoretical prediction, considering substrate sizes in the range of a few square millimetres, this method is expected to detect a few micro / nano particles per millilitre and to reach detection level close to the atto-molar for various molecules of interest.

BENEFITS

1) This method takes benefits from self organization mechanisms that occurs spontaneously when a solution containing the analytes to be detected (molecules or nano particles)  evaporates on a patterned substrate. As a consequence it is a low cost and integrated method.

2) This method relies on a spontaneous pre-concentration and controlled deposition of the analytes on the sampling substrate. It thus provides a low response time and opens new routes for fast and high sensitive capture and analysis.

3) The patterning of the sampling substrate using micro and nano fabrication technologies provides an easy way of localizing precisely the analytes. This enables an automated analysis and statistical measurements.

4) By tuning the specific functionalization of the capture sites on the sampling substrate, a large number of applications can be envisioned which address a large variety of analytes (molecule, particles, pathogenic species,…)

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

1) Environnement (water, air, solid contamination analysis…, nanoparticles, pesticides, bacteria…);

2) Health (DNA, proteins, antibodies, bacteria, virus, nosocomial infections…);

3) Pharmacology (drug screening…);

4) Public safety (pathogenic species, bacteria, spores…).

For further information, please contact us (Ref 02348-01)