Universal NanoSensor Technologies (UNS-Tech) develops and commercializes microfabricated conductivity detectors. In this MITACS cluster, UNS-Tech will partner with Prof. Young-June Kim to test UNS-Tech’s patented silicon microchip conductance detectors and to explore new detector architectures based on micro- and nano-patterned thin metal films. The results will be analyzed and the findings will be published in scientific journals. Interns participating in this cluster will benefit from this internship by gaining tremendous knowledge of electronics-based detectors.

In this internship, UNS-Tech will partner with Prof. Woolley to detect products of interest to his lab using UNS-e-chip. The antibiotics, developed by Prof. Woolley, are novel systems that can be activated by light or enzymes. The assay will employ UNS-Tech’s state-of-the-art electronics-based detectors for HPLC. The results will be analyzed and the findings will be published in scientific journals. The intern will benefit from this internship by gaining tremendous knowledge of synthesis of products of great value to the pharmaceutical industry.

The interns will spend time in the company lab to build and test proprietary electronic chemical detectors. These will be tested and undergo quality control measures in Universal NanoSensor Technologies’ lab. Once deemed robust, these detectors will then be used concurrently with present art detectors in a real-world, cutting‐edge, applications‐driven setting so that direct comparison can be made. The interns, under the guidance of the supervisor and other students involved in the lab, will perform head‐to‐head tests using both these detectors in place.