SBIR-STTR Award

Aqueous two phase (ATP) systems have been developed and patented by NIST for separation of chiral pure single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). These methods have been successfully deployed at bench-scale in many laboratories around the world but have yet to be demonstrated in an automated, scalable manufacturing method. It is the intent of this Phase I project to license this IP from NIST and complete proof of concept of an automated ATP system that includes 1) modularity of surfactant and polymer screening, 2) temperature swing control, and 3) surfactant or wrapping removal. We will determine if ATP separation improves SWCNT sensor fluorescence and batch to batch variability. Upon success of Phase I, the Phase II project would use this automated ATP system to probe the design space of single chirality purification to develop most efficient protocols for a library of SWCNT types (starting with 6,5 and 7,5 for efficient sensor applications). At Zymosense Inc. we build SWCNT based probes for measuring the activity of enzymes in complex solutions. This automation platform will allow us to improve signal to noise, standardize batch to batch variability, and enable single well multiplexing.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are known to have a variety of unique functional properties with utility in applications including optical sensing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and water filtration. However, when manufactured, SWCNT occur as a heterogenous, polydisperse material that exhibits a range of properties that diminish performance. Purification of SWCNT by aqueous two-phase (ATP) separation is a process developed at NIST that is efficient and effective. Yet, until recently, its use has been limited to manual, bench-scale deployment. To greatly expand potential SWCNT use and practicality, Zymosense—as part of a successful Phase I SBIR proof-of-concept NIST project—has demonstrated a high-throughput, semi-automated method to screen/optimize ATP separations. It is the intent of the follow-on Phase II project proposed here to achieve the following: 1) screen and optimize this process to maximize separation quality and efficiency; 2)