Date of Award
2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
Department
Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering
First Advisor
Mohammad Faghri
Second Advisor
Constantine Anagnostopoulos
Abstract
This work aims to build on URI’s autonomous Lab on Paper (LoP) platform technology, which was used to conduct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), to conducting enzymatic activity assays. This requires new optimizations and designs to accommodate the test. In this work we use alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme as the model analyte for the proof-of-concept. To accompany the new device, new MATLAB analytical tools were written and tested, to aid in robust colorimetric signal analysis. The test fixture was designed to be reusable, when a new paper circuit and reagent vials are supplied, however, it was assumed that an eventual final product will be a single use system. The circuit was built with modularity in mind to facilitate the development of future tests. Flow speed tests were shown to follow the form of Washburn’s equation. The housing was optimized for ease of use. The proof of concept was proven; achieved however it demonstrated a lack in the precision of the measurements. The signal followed the expected form of a linear curve, however, overlapping in test results means that the precision of the measurement is weak. Several challenges limited the success of the platform and should be investigated in future work. The most important is a full examination and mitigation of the “coffee ring” effect in order to produce a uniform image in the detection zone.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Hahn, Cameron, "DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTONOMOUS LAB-ON-PAPER DEVICE FOR ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY ASSAYS- PROOF OF CONCEPT" (2025). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2694.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2694