Porous silicon paper platform for smartphone-based micronutrient testing
A novel paper-based diagnostic platform using functionalized porous silicon (PSi) enables smartphone-assisted, self-administered testing for micronutrients like retinol-binding protein and ferritin from a finger-prick blood sample, with rapid results in 30 minutes.
Overview
This innovative platform leverages functionalized porous silicon (PSi) integrated into paper-based diagnostic tests for rapid, user-friendly micronutrient analysis. By applying a finger-prick blood sample onto a paper test strip, users can quantify levels of retinol-binding protein (RBP), ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) using smartphone-interpreted PSi color changes. This solution aims to make point-of-care testing accessible and efficient, facilitating timely health assessments without the need for complex laboratory equipment.
Technical specifications
The platform incorporates targeted functionalization of PSi membranes to enable specific detection of micronutrients. The system integrates regions in the paper fluidic for filtering red blood cells, ensuring even distribution of the test sample, and attaching signal amplifiers as needed. Key features include:
- Functionalized PSi membranes for selective biomarker detection
- Paper-based fluidic system for efficient blood cell separation and plasma extraction
- Smartphone-based image analysis for interpreting PSi color changes to quantify analytes
The solution is built on existing expertise in PSi biosensing and smartphone integration, demonstrating comparable resolution to benchtop spectrometers in protein detection.
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at Technology Readiness Level 3. The project is undergoing optimization and validation stages, including PSi surface chemistry for ferritin detection and the development of a multi-target detection system. The platform is being tailored for sensitivity, specificity, and user-friendliness, with proof-of-concept smartphone analytics establishing feasibility for scalable deployment.
About Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private, research‑intensive university in Nashville that combines residential undergraduate education with advanced graduate and professional training. Industry engages through co‑located core labs and prototyping spaces, an on‑campus innovation center, and streamlined pathways for sponsored research and clinical studies with its closely affiliated medical center. Nashville’s concentration of healthcare companies and a growing tech and advanced manufacturing base provide a strong regional partner network and access to real‑world testbeds. Research is supported by competitive federal funding, including major awards from NIH, NSF, DOE, and DoD. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startups.
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