A University of Pittsburgh researcher has developed an automated electrochemical test platform to rapidly screen for illicit drugs. Using single-walled carbon nanotube-based field-effect transistor (FET) sensors the platform can simultaneously test for illicit drugs allowing for high-throughput screening in a fraction of the time currently required. This novel platform will streamline drug testing and remove the need for different analytical techniques and equipment for each substance dramatically improving working efficiency.
An automated electrolyte-gated FET sensor-based platform has been developed and tested. This platform can rapidly screen samples for illicit drugs simultaneously. This novel platform design could lead to more efficient analytical workflows in a variety of laboratories.
Description
In recent years the automation of chemical processes has improved efficiency leading to standardized operations and avoiding errors and fatigue associated with repetitive tasks. Chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis is regularly automated. However, with emerging analytical techniques (e.g., the use of FET sensors) currently in applications including environmental monitoring, food analysis, and health screening, no automated platform for high-throughput screening currently exists. This novel automated electrolyte-gate FET test system has been developed with five key components – printed circuit board (PCB), pipetting robot, source meter unit, system switch and computer, and could perform FET measurements of 96 sensors in a single run. Full optimization of this process could revolutionize workflows in high-throughput analytical laboratories.
Applications
• High-throughput screening for illicit drugs
• High-throughput screening for food or environmental contaminants
Advantages
Current screening tests for illicit drugs require multiple techniques, usually chromatography-based, are costly, time-consuming, and require a high degree of technical skill. FET sensors contain surface functionalized probes that bind to molecules of interest resulting in changes to the surface potential. FET sensors with their high sensitivity, fast response time, and easy miniaturization, have great potential application in high-throughput screening.
This novel platform has been designed to automate every step of testing protocols, sample introduction, electrochemical testing, and data processing. With the possibility to include up to 96 sensors in one platform, this approach can allow for a simultaneous screen of different illicit drugs, or any other molecule of choice, in a matter of hours. This device could be integrated with existing scientific instruments through programming, improving working efficiency in laboratories.
Invention Readiness
A prototype platform was developed containing five different parts: a PCB, a commercially available pipetting robot for sample handling, a computer, source meter units, and a system switch. The device was programmed using Python. Testing using fentanyl, hydrocodone, and morphine FET sensors demonstrated that this platform could reliably and selectively analyze mixtures of compounds. Further optimization of the platform could lead to the inclusion of more FET sensors.
IP Status
Patent Pending
Related Publications
Liu, Z., Bian, L., Shao, W., Hwang, S. I., & Star, A. (2025). An automated electrolyte-gate field-effect transistor test system for rapid screening of multiple sensors. Digital Discovery, 4(3), 752–761. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4dd00301b
Hwang, S. I., Franconi, N. G., Rothfuss, M. A., Bocan, K. N., Bian, L., White, D. L., Burkert, S. C., Euler, R. W., Sopher, B. J., Vinay, M. L., Sejdic, E., & Star, A. (2019). Tetrahydrocannabinol Detection Using Semiconductor-Enriched Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Chemiresistors. ACS Sensors, 4(8), 2084–2093. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.9b00762
