Similar to the architecture used in the SiO₂ based ARROW platform, we also build micron scale solid core waveguides and liquid core leaky waveguides using standard photo-lithography techniques and silicon polymer bases (PDMS). Different polymer reagent ratios are used for defining the core and cladding materials of the waveguides. The elastomeric nature of this polymer is used to also develop pneumatically actuating micro valves for on chip fluidic handling. The the different layers of the device are made by spin coating and casting PDMS on features defined by SU-8 molds on a silicon wafer. After curing, the different layers are pealed of from the SU-8 molds, aligned using a custom build aligner and bonded.

By integrating the optical sensor architecture with 2X1 [2 inlet X 1 intersection] arrays of pneumatic valves (Automatons) we develop a biosensor platform which can prepare simple fluorescent assays on chip and detection them. This device has been used for simultaneous capture, tagging and detection of Zika specific NS1 proteins and nucleic acids in human serum, leading to a study on use of this device for differential diagnosis of Zika against other cross reacting species.

Current work is focused on design, fabrication and testing of similar devices with improved photonic components by integrating MMI waveguides to give multiplexed detection capabilities to the device. Sample preparation automaton section is upgraded with 6X4 arrays to help the device handle a greater number of chemical reagents, thus preform more complex sample extraction procedures from clinical source.

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