Chemistry professor Frank A. Gomez, who lives in Tustin, spearheads a Cal State Los Angeles program that recently won a $375,000 grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation.
The three-year grant aims to engage hundreds of undergraduate students in the research of paper microfluidics for medical and environmental uses in developing countries. Gomez provided a quick lesson in that field of study.
Q. First, the obvious question. What is “paper microfluidics”?
A. Paper microfluidics is a technology that utilizes “capillary action” – the ability of liquids to flow through narrow spaces, as in the way liquid travels through a paper towel.
A classic example of its use is a pregnancy test. In the old days, a woman would have to go to the doctor and do something more invasive – a blood test. Now she can buy an inexpensive test that is based on a paper platform, and then go home and see if the line turns blue. Another example: Determining glucose levels by mixing chemicals with urine or blood on a strip of paper.
We are looking at ways to expand the use of paper in diagnostic tests – such as for the Zika virus, AIDS, cancer.
Q. What are some other potential uses for paper microfluidics besides in health care?
A. Environmentally, it could be used to, for instance, check how much arsenic or lead is in soil, or for dangerous gases in the air.
In the area of energy, we can manufacture paper-based batteries to replace coal-based and other pollution-creating fuels. The stuff in (metallic) batteries is pretty yucky – and most of us just throw batteries away, which is not good for the environment. We already can make paper-based batteries that can light up little toys using water, hydrogen peroxide, ethanol and aluminum. It’s new technology that we need to expand on.
Q. What is the purpose of the grant?
A. The long-term goal is for students to do research that is publishable and marketable, and that will have a global impact. Students will do research in chemistry and biology that has real-world uses, developing platforms for new paper-based tests.
Q. In what ways could your research have a global impact?
A. The beauty of paper microfluidics is that it doesn’t need a high degree of technical expertise. People in developing countries can easily learn how to use this technology. And it doesn’t require expensive instruments that occupy a large space. It is inexpensive to ship overseas.
Q. Do you think integrating “real-world” applications in the classroom increases student engagement in chemistry?
A. Definitely. So many of these kids get bored sitting in a classroom listening to lectures. Why not have them touch and hold something real?
This project will make students, even at the freshman level, interested in finding solutions for the problems we face around the world. They might not become scientists, but they will become better educated members of society.
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