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The center played a central role in ASU's securing of a $43.7 million federal award from the U.S. Army to establish the Flexible Display Center (FDC) at Arizona State University for the development of flexible, low-power computer displays that can be continually refreshed with new data and carried in the field. The award is a five-year cooperative agreement with an option for renewal for an additional five years for another $50 million.

The center’s major interest within the FDC activities is directed toward advanced technology insertion. In particular, the Center’s researchers are interested in new processing technologies using high resolution patterning, organic semiconductors and solution-based processing. The center and the FDC have also forged an umbrella agreement comprising joint development with STMicroelectronics to possibly establish a joint lab with the Center to be located at the FDC. This lab will be the third international arm for corporate research and development and will interact with the center on fuel-cell technology, high-resolution unconventional nano-lithography, integrated microfluidics, and plastic organic electronics. Furthermore, STMicroelectronics is also planning to become a Principal Level Member of the FDC for joint development in flexible display technology. The Center for Applied NanoBioscience is also engaged in several international partnerships including the PolyApply Associated Network and FlexDis. These are two large European consortia on polymer electronics and displays consisting of more than 20 industrial and academic members. Both consortia are Integrated Science and Technology Projects sponsored for more than €30 million by the 6th Framework Program of the European Community.

In a demonstration of integrated and embedded electronic sensors, power sources, microfluidic devices and pumps in bodywear, researchers at the center created two styles of wearable electronics bodysuits unveiled at the 2004 Wired NextFest. One of these was developed for wellness and human perception monitoring; the other for detection of pathogens, infectious diseases and radiation.

The Biometric Bodysuit is a military camouflage outfit complete with pathogen detectors, a high-density, low-temperature micro fuel cell that acts as a lightweight, long-life power source, and flexible electroluminescent display. In addition to collaborating with several electro-optics experts at the FDC, the outfit incorporates many of the advanced technologies that the center is developing. This includes pathogen detectors that are more reliable and more sensitive than current technology; a flexible electroluminescent display that can be worn around the wrist to provide soldiers with instant awareness communications and updated commands, or environmental information about exposure to any biological or chemical agents; and advanced micro fuel cell technology that would power an individual soldier's equipment for possibly up to a few weeks.

The Sensory Chameleon Bodysuit was developed in collaboration with Galina Mihaleva, a costume designer in the dance department of ASU's Herberger College of Fine Arts, and Jenny Tillotson, a "scentsory designer" based in London. Together, they developed an outfit that could easily deliver a fragrance--or even an insect repellent--in response to some type of elevated physical cue, like body temperature or heart rate. This could be adapted to deliver drugs such as insulin to a diabetic or bronchodilators to an asthmatic.

Researchers led by Don Gervasio are developing micro-fuel cells for portable applications. Their goal is to develop a complete micro-power system, envisioned as a hybrid device made up of a fuel cell subsystem, a battery and controller. Research in this area involves the development of novel microfluidic fuel cell based power-supply systems requiring powers ranging from 1 to < 20 watts. One approach involves construction of fuel cell subsystems, including microfluidics, advanced catalysts and actuators integration (micro pump, valves, gas/liquid separator, etc.), from a low-cost, light-weight plastic housing (similar to printed-circuit board technology) and the use of a high-energy density, liquid-fuel supply (aqueous alkaline borohydride as the hydrogen storage solution) for a low-temperature hydrogen/air-fuel cell.

The development of integrated microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” platforms and advanced optical and electronic sensor arrays for the detection and analysis of biomolecules is an important part of ongoing research at the center. Current research includes:

• Fully Integrated Microfluidic Sample Prep System:
• Integrated "Lab-on-a-Chip" System for Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis:
  1. Fully Integrated Microfluidic Sample Prep System: In collaboration with Stanford University, this project aims to develop a biochip device that allows for rapid detection of infection and biowarfare agents. The device performs whole DNA sample extraction and preparation from complex biological sample solutions, eliminating the most complicated and labor-intensive steps in genetic analysis.
  2. Integrated "Lab-on-a-Chip" System for STR Analysis: This project aims to develop an integrated microfluidic system that integrates and automates all of the necessary steps of forensic STR analysis on a single microchip device. The system is fully automated and increases the throughput of STR-based DNA profiling analysis while reducing potential contamination of the sample from human intervention (this, in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Scottsdale Healthcare).

Melanoma Classification Using Nanofluidic Microsystem: The purpose of this project is to develop an integrated tool to assess likely response to therapy for a disease and treatment (melanoma/IL-2), where currently no maker of response is available. The first phase of research involves development of nano-diagnostic platforms to incorporate the DNA elements and combine the steps of the diagnostics pathway. The second phase involves design, fabrication and testing of a fully integrated, automated device for melanoma genotyping. Researchers are collaborating with the Transitional Gemonics Research Institute (TGen), Mayo Clinic, National Center Institute and IBM.

Bioassay Development: Researchers are developing bioassays for gene expression monitoring, genotyping, DNA fingerprinting and biowarfare agent detection. The research efforts are sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the FBI. Development of analytical techniques for biological drug manufacturing is also among new projects sponsored by large pharmaceutical companies.

Nano-scale Electrodeless Dieletrophoretic Arrays for Proteomics: The objective of this nanoscale interdisciplinary research is to develop a new methodology for trapping, separating, concentrating and detecting low concentrations of protein molecules by using novel nanoscale electrodeless dielectrophoresis (DEP) (EDEP) arrays. These new devices will provide a powerful tool in proteomics, cell biology, biological warfare detection, and medical diagnostic of disease such as cancers.

Nano-imprinting: Research in this area involves the development of Nano-imprint lithography (NIL) for the fabrication of nanoscale features with high-throughput at a low cost. Unconventional nanolithography techniques, such as laser assisted direct imprint (LADI) will also be studied. Other advanced nanostructures such as nanopores and patterned substrates will also be studied for their biological applications. Applications to large scale patterning of polymer substrates will also improve performances of packaging of microprocessors as well as all-organic electronics for ambient intelligence and consumer electronics products.

DNA Stretching and Sizing Using Nanofluidic Channels Fabricated by Nano-imprint Lithography: Researchers have demonstrated a new method to fabricate enclosed nanofluidic channels by imprinting a channel template into a thin polymer film cast on a glass cover slip in a single nano-imprint step. This method provides a simple and practical solution for low-cost fabrication of nanofluidic channels, and may serve as a powerful fabrication tool for nano-genomics, nano-proteomics and chemical analysis systems in the nanoscale. The research is being conducted under a contractual agreement with SONY Labs in Japan.