Bio-configurable Lasers

About

TECHNOLOGY NEED Providing health care in resource-limited settings is one of the foremost applications of optofluidic devices. Creating technologies for the developing world involves a range of challenges. Devices must be inexpensive, easy to use, and give results quickly, but as effective as the existing technology. Bio sensing by means of optofluidic lasers is emerging as a less invasive, and more efficient technology, without compromising the performance. In optofluidic lasers, bio-sensing and bio-control in vitro and in vivo takes place almost exclusively in aqueous environment. However, the existing optofluidic lasers cannot be readily adapted to function in the aqueous environment or have compromised performance. Additionally, they are difficult to be reused or reconfigured, or easily mass-produced to form a robust laser. These challenges need to be addressed to develop a stand- alone device.  INVENTION DESCRIPTION/SOLUTION  UTA researchers have developed a novel bio-compatible and bio-configurable optofluidic lasers that are self-assembled using two-phase liquid material. The novel laser is the first bio-compatible and bio configurable all-liquid laser technology. The unique surface gain geometry at the liquid-liquid interface enables the novel laser to be further developed into a versatile bio-sensing technology platform. With ultra-high detection sensitivity and selectivity, the novel optofluidic laser is cost-effective, reconfigurable, reproducible, and highly efficient to generate laser arrays compared to the current state of art. The novel invention produces exceptional diagnostics and throughput in various biological and biomedical sensing applications.  APPLICATIONS Point-of-care medical devices Molecular diagnostics Miniaturized lab-on-chip devices Bio-detection Adaptive and reconfigurable lasers  KEY BENEFITS Ultra-high detection sensitivity Bio-compatible and bio-configurable Low cost and reproducible All-liquid laser technology