Ultrafast Photothermal ddPCR System Based on Plasmonic Fluorosurfactant

Overview

A revolutionary droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) system that utilizes light for rapid thermal cycling of droplets, stabilized by our patented plasmonics fluorosurfactant, enabling ddPCR completion in just 15 min — ideal for rapid molecular diagnostics.

  • Ultrafast Photothermal ddPCR System Based on Plasmonic Fluorosurfactant
Problem addressed

Conventional ddPCR requires heating through conduction of peltier block, resulting in slow ramping rate and hour-range thermocycling time. With the Ultrafast photothermal ddPCR system, the thermocycling time has reduced to minute-range by the fast light-to-heat conversion

Innovation
  • The fluorination of plasmonic gold nanoparticle as a functional surfactant for the application of droplet microfluidic and photothermal conversion
  • Ultrafast photothermal platform that allows precision temperature control and mintue-range thermocycling from 60-95°C under the photothermal conversion from plasmonic gold nanoparticle fluorosurfactant
Key impact
  • Reduction in ddPCR thermocycling time from > 2 hours to within 15 minutes
  • High droplet stability under rapid thermocycling using plasmonic fluorosurfactant
  • Reduction in thermal mass minimize heat loss, which lowers energy consumption and allows precise thermal control
  • Compact and portable PCR platform
Award
  • 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva/Silver Medal
  • 5th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong (AEII)/Bronze Medal
Application
  • Point-of-care clinical detection

Patent

  • WO/2021/036967
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a forward-looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all around the world. Four Nobel laureates are associated with the university, and it is the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong with recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal and Veblen Prize sitting as faculty in residence. CUHK graduates are connected worldwide through an extensive alumni network. CUHK undertakes a wide range of research programmes in many subject areas, and strives to provide scope for all academic staff to undertake consultancy and collaborative projects with industry. 

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