scholarly journals A 3D-printed hand-powered centrifuge for molecular biology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Byagathvalli ◽  
Aaron F. Pomerantz ◽  
Soham Sinha ◽  
Janet Standeven ◽  
M. Saad Bhamla
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Power Source ◽  
Medical Diagnostics ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
External Power Source ◽  
External Power ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Proof Of Principle

The centrifuge is an essential tool for many aspects of research and medical diagnostics. However, conventional centrifuges are often inaccessible outside of conventional laboratory settings, such as remote field sites, require a constant external power source, and can be prohibitively costly in resource-limited settings and STEM-focused programs. Here we present the 3D-Fuge, a 3D-printed hand-powered centrifuge, as a novel alternative to standard benchtop centrifuges. Based on the design principles of a paper-based centrifuge, this 3D-printed instrument increases the volume capacity to 2 mL and can reach hand-powered centrifugation speeds up to 6,000 rpm. The 3D-Fuge devices presented here are capable of centrifugation of a wide variety of different solutions such as spinning down samples for biomarker applications and performing nucleotide extractions as part of a portable molecular lab setup. We introduce the design and proof-of-principle trials that demonstrate the utility of low-cost 3D printed centrifuges for use in remote and educational settings.

scholarly journals Mobilefuge: A low-cost, portable, open source, 3D-printed centrifuge that can be used for purification of saliva samples for SARS-CoV2 detection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohini Bhupathi ◽  
Ganga Chinna Rao Devarapu
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Power Supplies ◽  
Testing Methods ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Frequent Testing ◽  
The Cost

One of the best ways to contain the spread of COVID-19 is frequent testing of as many people as possible and timely isolation of uninfected personnel from infected personnel. However, the cost of massive testing is affordable in many countries. The existing technologies might not be scalable to offer affordable testing for millions of people. To address this issue, novel testing methods based on Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) were proposed that are more sensitive, require less reagents and can work with saliva samples instead of more tedious nasal swabs. As a result, LAMP based protocols can make it possible to drive the cost down to one dollar per test. These LAMP based methods require a centrifuge device, mostly for separation of viral particles from reaction inhibitors in saliva samples. However, centrifuge is neither accessible nor affordable in many resource limited settings, especially during this pandemic situation when normal supply chains are heavily disrupted. To overcome these challenges, we invented a low-cost centrifuge that can be useful for carrying out low-cost LAMP based detection of SARS-Cov2 virus in saliva. The 3D printed centrifuge (Mobilefuge) is portable, robust, stable, safe, easy to build and operate. The Mobilefuge doesn't require soldering or programming skills and can be built without any specialised equipment, yet practical enough for high throughput use. More importantly, Mobilefuge can be powered from widely available USB ports, including mobile phones and associated power supplies. This allows the Mobilefuge to be used even in off-grid and resource limited settings. We believe that our invention will aid the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by lowering the costs of testing equipment. Apart from the COVID-19 testing, the Mobilefuge can have applications in the field of biomedical research and diagnostics.

scholarly journals Validation of a point-of-care rapid diagnostic test for hepatitis C for use in resource-limited settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-315
Author(s):  
James S Leathers ◽  
Maria Belen Pisano ◽  
Viviana Re ◽  
Gertine van Oord ◽  
Amir Sultan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis Test ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background Treatment of HCV with direct-acting antivirals has enabled the discussion of HCV eradication worldwide. Envisioning this aim requires implementation of mass screening in resource-limited areas, usually constrained by testing costs. Methods We validated a low-cost, rapid diagnosis test (RDT) for HCV in three different continents in 141 individuals. Results The HCV RDT showed 100% specificity and sensitivity across different samples regardless of genotype or viral load (in samples with such information, 90%). Conclusions The HCV test validated in this study can allow for HCV screening in areas of need when properly used.

Precise quantitative addition of multiple reagents into droplets in sequence using glass fiber-induced droplet coalescence

The Analyst ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 701-705
Author(s):  
Chunyu Li ◽  
Jian Xu ◽  
Bo Ma
Keyword(s):  
Glass Fiber ◽  
Power Source ◽  
Droplet Coalescence ◽  
External Power Source ◽  
External Power ◽  
Serial Addition

Serial addition of reagents with controlled volumes is performed using a glass fiber-induced droplet coalescence method without the requirement for an external power source.

scholarly journals Noiseless intensity amplification of repetitive signals by coherent addition using the temporal Talbot effect

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Maram ◽  
James Van Howe ◽  
Ming Li ◽  
José Azaña
Keyword(s):  
Optical Pulse ◽  
Wave Train ◽  
Extinction Ratio ◽  
Power Source ◽  
Wave System ◽  
Talbot Effect ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
External Power Source ◽  
External Power ◽  
Time Average

Abstract Amplification of signal intensity is essential for initiating physical processes, diagnostics, sensing, communications and measurement. During traditional amplification, the signal is amplified by multiplying the signal carriers through an active gain process, requiring the use of an external power source. In addition, the signal is degraded by noise and distortions that typically accompany active gain processes. We show noiseless intensity amplification of repetitive optical pulse waveforms with gain from 2 to ~20 without using active gain. The proposed method uses a dispersion-induced temporal self-imaging (Talbot) effect to redistribute and coherently accumulate energy of the original repetitive waveforms into fewer replica waveforms. In addition, we show how our passive amplifier performs a real-time average of the wave-train to reduce its original noise fluctuation, as well as enhances the extinction ratio of pulses to stand above the noise floor. Our technique is applicable to repetitive waveforms in any spectral region or wave system.

A photovoltaic self-powered gas sensor based on a single-walled carbon nanotube/Si heterojunction

Nanoscale ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (47) ◽  
pp. 18579-18583 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Liu ◽  
G. H. Li ◽  
Y. Wang ◽  
Y. Y. Wang ◽  
T. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Visible Light ◽  
Gas Sensor ◽  
Power Source ◽  
Single Walled Carbon Nanotube ◽  
External Power Source ◽  
External Power ◽  
Gas Molecules ◽  
Self Powered ◽  
Trace Concentrations

A self-powered gas sensor activated by visible light which can detect trace concentrations of gas molecules without an external power source.

Low cost HIV-1 quantitative RT-PCR assay in resource-limited settings: Improvement and implementation

2012 ◽  
Vol 185 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azzania Fibriani ◽  
Nadya Farah ◽  
Inri Kusumadewi ◽  
Suzan D. Pas ◽  
Reinout van Crevel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Hiv 1

Design and Validation of a Low-Cost Microscope for Diagnostics in the Developing World

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 16-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Cline ◽  
R. Luo ◽  
K. Kuhlmann
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
High Resolution Imaging ◽  
Microscope Examination ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Resolution Imaging

Many infectious diseases prevalent in the developing world, including malaria and tuberculosis, are difficult to diagnose on the basis of symptoms alone but can be accurately detected using microscope examination. Currently the expense, size, and fragility of optical microscopes impede their widespread use in resource-limited settings. Addressing these obstacles facing microscopy in the developing world is a pressing need; over 800,000 people, primarily children in Africa, die annually of malaria, and more than 1,500,000 people die annually of tuberculosis [1][2]. The aim of this study is to design and validate a microscope for use in the developing world that combines high-resolution imaging, extreme affordability, and long-term durability.

Portable Pneumatic Power-Harvesting Ankle-Foot-Orthosis

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Chin ◽  
Elizabeth T. Hsiao-Wecksler ◽  
Eric Loth ◽  
Andrew Alleyne ◽  
Scott Manwaring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Source ◽  
Power Harvesting ◽  
Ankle Motion ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽  
Locking Mechanism ◽  
External Power Source ◽  
Cam Follower ◽  
External Power ◽  
Pneumatic Power ◽  
Foot Orthosis

In this paper, we present a novel ankle-foot-orthosis (AFO) design that controls ankle motion by providing a plantarflexion stop with free dorsiflexion during gait. The biomechanical controls are accomplished with a unique application of a cam-follower design that uses pneumatic power harvested via an air bellow embedded into the insole of the AFO (Figure 1). This portable design is self-contained and does not require any external power source to provide for the plantarflexion stop locking mechanism. It is the first step in a series of untethered fluid-powered orthotic devices.

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