Research
Small Reactive Responsive Systems (SRRS): Miniaturized devices or systems are capable of
- generating physical, chemical or biological response/reactions.
- responding to external physical, chemical or biological stimulus.
Together with my collaborators, research associates and apprentices, we are constantly looking out for new means of achieving low cost miniaturization as well as functionality in cross-disciplinary applications via new materials, designs, circuitry, assays, protocols, fabrication techniques, devices and system level integration.
Our current research interests include electrical discharge based sensors, actuators and apparatus, environmental sensors and portable systems, biomedical devices, diagnostics and therapeutics, edible transducers and alternative energy storage.
Note: CGM research was performed at ArKal Medical Inc, Fremont, CA, USA (2005-2012).
Electrical Discharge based Sensors, Actuators and Apparatus
Microorganism-Ionizing Respirator. It uses corona ionizer to remove airborne bacteria instead of mechanical filtration.
Airborne bacteria is captured with high efficiency by a micro corona based bio-precipitator. The bacteria is precipitated directly into the liquid anode which can be analyzed with NanoGene assay.
Corona discharge is used to mitigate the inhibitory effects of Mg2+ on NanoGene assay.
Low cost and low power bacterial lysis chip enabled by built-in micro corona based ozone generator.
Airborne particles are charged by micro corona ionizer and steered via electric field. It can be used for active airborne particles removal.
Micro corona ionizer is integrated with bandage for enhanced wound healing and sterilization.
An integrated micro corona charge and steering electrodes. It can be used for filtration as well as airborne particles detection.
A micro corona ionizer is packaged in a low cost format for bacterial lysis.
Micro corona discharge is employed for anenometry.It was able to measure very low flow velocities via drift mobility increment mode.
Biomedical Devices, Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Soft candy is used as an electronic material for salivary conductivity based diagnostics.
A self powered insulin pump that employs superabsorbent polymer as a source of stored energy.
Gummy bear is used as a bite force sensor.
Conductive PLA filament for dose monitoring in syringe-less wearable pump.
Conductive PLA filament for dose monitoring in syringe-less wearable pump.
The ArKal Medical CGM was able to track blood glucose accurately as shown in the Clark Error Grid.
Hollow silicon microneedles for accessing interstitial fluids in the skin's epidermal layer.
The sharp cutting edge of the silicon microneedle.
Schematic of the microneedles based CGM developed by ArKal Medical Inc, Fremont, CA.
Environmental Sensors and Portable Systems
Control of biofilm growth using non-ohmic fringe field.
Rapid screening of total bacterial load in a single step.
ssDNA probe can be used to enhance the performance of existing aptasensors.
Chia seeds mucilage was able to efficiently trap PVC microplastics in water.
Ozonation enhanced the cell membrane permeability of Gram negative bacteria to low cost dyes like SYBR Green I.
Circuitry within NERRA Analyzer
Non-equilibrium rapid replacement aptamer assay analyzer that is capable of detecting PAEs in 30 seconds.
Gene level optical rapid in-situ analyzer (GLORIA) based on aptamer, magnetic bead and quantum dots for detection of DEHP.
Portable electrocoagulator for pre-concentration of cyanobacteria.
