title: Fully automated chemiluminescence detection using an electrified-Lab-on-a-Disc (eLoaD) platform.
abstract: Typical Lab-on-a-Disc (LoaD) platforms cannot make a continuous measurement while the disc is spinning; this drawback means that the disc usually must be stopped and aligned with a sensor. This can result in measurement errors in time-dependent assays along with inaccuracies due to liquid displacement and bubble formation in the absence of a stabilising centrifugal field. This paper presents a novel concept for a wirelessly electrified-Lab-on-a-Disc (eLoaD) platform that allows continuous measurement of experimental parameters while the disc is spinning. This platform incorporates all the components needed for measurement within the rotating frame of reference, and bidirectional transmission of data outside this reference frame, thus allowing for online measurement independent of the rotation of the disc. The eLoaD platform is conceived in a modular manner whereby an interchangeable and non-disposable 'Application Disc' can be fitted to the eLoaD platform and so the system can be adapted for a range of optical, electrochemical and other measurement types. As an application example, optical readout, using the Application Disc fitted with a silicon photomultiplier, is demonstrated using a tagged chemiluminescent antibody, which is commonly used, for instance, in ELISA assays. The precision of the eLoaD platform is >94%, while its accuracy, when compared to a commercial benchtop luminometer, is higher than 96%. The modular design of this platform will permit extension of this technology to many other LoaD applications.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Simulation, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, Freiburg im Breisgau 79110, Germany. sarai.torres@imtek.uni-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Saraí M Torres
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kinahan
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Microactuators, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 102, Freiburg im Breisgau 79110, Germany.
authors.forename: Fralett Suárez
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Sandoval
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: Lourdes Albina Nirupa
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Julius
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: Niamh A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Kilcawley
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ducrée
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mager