Sensors

My interest in sensing focuses on moving sophisticated analytical capabilities out of the laboratory and into the hands of the people who need them. We develop decentralized, low-cost diagnostic tools that prioritize ease of use, sustainability, and field-readiness. By combining clever material science with open-source electronics, we aim to create sensing platforms that are as effective in a home kitchen as they are in a high-end research facility.

Molecular Diagnostics and DNA Detection

I am particularly interested in isothermal nucleic acid amplification (LAMP) as a robust alternative to PCR for rapid pathogen detection. To bridge the gap between “bench and on-site,” we have developed various non-instrumental and low-cost hardware solutions:

The T-Cup (Velders et al., 2022): A “non-instrument” device for SARS-CoV-2 detection that repurposes aluminum coffee capsules and phase-change materials (PCM) to maintain a steady 65 °C. It is scalable, sustainable, and requires only boiling water to run.

Arduino LAMP Shields (Velders et al., 2018): For more automated needs, I designed battery-operated Arduino shields that offer one-button DNA detection with naked-eye results, making molecular diagnostics accessible for field research.

Physical and Visual Sensing

Beyond molecular markers, I am interested in developing tools to detect and identify micro-entities—from parasite eggs to microplastics—using accessible hardware and innovative fabrication:

ESPressoscope (collaboration with Benedict Diederich, Jena, Germany, and Manu Prakash, Stanford) (Li et al., 2024): A modular, ESP32-based digital microscopy platform. Designed for in-situ monitoring, this low-cost “design pattern” allows researchers to build mission-specific microscopes, such as the Anglerfish for underwater ecological observation or time-lapse systems for incubator cell cultures.

Staircase Microfluidics (“Step-by-Step : A Microfluidic (PDMS) Staircase Device for Size Sorting Microparticles down to 25 Μm Using a 3D-Printed Mold,” 2023): To simplify the detection of microparticles, we pioneered a “stepsize” approach to microfluidics. By using the layer resolution of consumer 3D printers to create staircase structures, we can size-sort particles (parasites, zooplankton, microplastics) down to 25 µm without the need for high-resolution lithography.