TRLUP – Advanced Microfluidic System for On-Site Milk Testing

We are developing a novel, low-cost microfluidic detection chip for rapid bacterial detection in milk, addressing critical needs in both maternal health and the dairy industry. Bacterial contamination in milk poses significant health and economic risks, from mastitis in breastfeeding mothers to large-scale spoilage in dairy production. Current diagnostic methods, such as culture-based assays, are time-consuming, require laboratory infrastructure, and are impractical for real-time, field-level testing. This often delays intervention, results in unnecessary milk waste, and contributes to antibiotic overuse and the global rise of antimicrobial resistance. Our solution is a self-powered microfluidic device that combines sample filtration and label-free bacterial detection in a compact, user-friendly format. Using engineered flow and microchannels, the chip autonomously processes milk samples without external power, pumps, or reagents. Integrated microfiltration structures filter bacteria from milk matrices, while the detection zone enables real-time analysis based on physical or optical changes. The device delivers results in under 15 minutes and has been successfully prototyped and tested in both human and bovine milk samples. This project is being advanced in collaboration with an applied research institute (e.g., SAIT’s ARIS), whose facilities and multidisciplinary expertise support device refinement, regulatory planning, and field validation.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jamie McInnis;Paul Adams

Student:

Partner:

The ETC Foundation

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Program: