Traveling Wave Bio-Agent Concentrator

This paper describes a hybrid bio-agent concentrator device based on the combined performance of a modified field flow fractionation system for particulate deposition and a traveling wave transport mechanism to deliver and concentrate particulates into a sample well. The device has been successfully tested on B. thurengiensis and polystyrene beads in the threat range of 1-10 /spl mu/m. This MEMS device may increase the concentration of post-ultrafiltration retentates or post-aerosol collected hydrosols by another 100X. As a front-end to detection, it will enhance the effective sensitivity of the detector. The device may also have bio medical implications in bio separation and cell enrichment.