CAREER: New Strategies for Electrochemical Detection in Microfluidic Systems

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA

Investigators

Abstract

This CAREER award by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program supports work by Professor Julio Alvarez at Virginia Commonwealth University to develop new strategies for electrochemical detection. The main goal in this investigation is to attain enhancement of sensitivity and selectivity in electrochemical sensors by taking advantage of the flow control and the multi-electrode configurations accessible in microfluidic systems. Chemical coupling between electrochemical reactions occurring at different electrodes will be used as a way to increase electroanalytical currents for model analytes. Nevertheless, the investigated principles will eventually be applied to analytical probes of broader impact (neurotransmitters, pesticides, etc.) and using conventional electroanalytical cells where the miniaturization and fluid control of microfluidics is not needed. The chemical coupling principle implemented in this project is one of the major strategies that biological systems utilize to overcome severe thermodynamic and kinetics limitations in life-sustaining processes. Additionally, this research will be part of an outreach program involving senior students and teachers from high schools in the Richmond, VA area and undergraduates in Virginia Commonwealth University. This initiative contemplates the implementation of inexpensive microfluidic experiments for introducing basic chemical concepts with the goal of developing inquiry and discovery-driven skills in the students.