Cbana's Technology

There are three major components needed for advanced microscale detection systems: preconcentrators for gas/liquid sampling; separators to minimize false positives; and microscale sensors. Cbana has developed novel and proprietary technologies in all three areas.

Banasorb®-A revolutionary adsorbent for pollutant capture and analysis

Cbana has developed a family of novel adsorbents (trade-named Banasorb®) that are built upon proprietary Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Cbana’s MOFs are composed of metal ions, acting as coordination centers, which are linked together by a variety of polyatomic organic bridging ligands. The result is a fully customizable, thermally and mechanically stable 3-dimensional nano porous material that can be engineered to selectively adsorb species of interest. Furthermore, this crystalline molecular framework results in a capacity that is an order of magnitude better than adsorbents like granulated activated carbon (GAC). Previously, MOFs weren’t widely used because they were relatively unstable and synthesis was a long and costly process, often requiring a day or longer. Banasorb® is both robust and water stable, and can be synthesized in as little as 25 seconds. Cbana is actively developing processes to coat Banasorb® on a variety of substrates such as cloth and glass fibers, for applications including protective clothing and filtration. Banasorb® can be also used as a stand-alone product for environmental remediation. Cbana is teaming with Signature Science and Supelco on a proposal whose objective is to develop new adsorbents and sampling systems for the military.

Comparison of the breakthrough volume of acetone in Banasorb® 21 to that in other common adsorbents.

Preconcentrators for pollutant analysis systems

Cbana’s preconcentrators, which serves as the “front-end” sampler for a variety of sensor systems. Banasorb is used as an adsorbent in these systems. Since Banasorb® can selectively adsorb trace amounts of species of interest, and since it has tremendous adsorption capacity, very little is needed in Cbana’s preconcentrators so they can be substantially decreased in size, and use very little energy. Cbana’s integrated thermal desorption and microvalve technology are also available to transfer the adsorbent into a detector for further analysis.

One of Cbana's preconcentrators

Separators GC columns on a chip

Cbana also has proprietary technology for GC's on a chip. The process includes patent pending fabrication processes, coating processes, and passivation. Cbana has already demonstrated the separation of 16 species within 4 seconds. Cbana is part of a joint development agreement with General Electric and UIUC to jointly develop Cbana's GC-chip product.

A 16 peak spectrum in four seconds

Miniature Pumps and Valves

In order to move a sample in a microanalytical system from one location to another, very small valves and pumps needed. Cbana has developed a series of fast-acting, electrostatic microvalves that work under high differential pressures. These valves have been cycled millions of cycles without failure. Cbana’s proprietary MEMS microfabrication process is the result of eight years of research, development and optimization.

Cbana’s MEMS pumps use touch-capacitance actuation, similar to the valves. Touch-capacitance gives the highest possible electrostatic force possible for an applied voltage, since the conductive planes are only separated by the dielectric layers over the conductors. The pumps use the same highly efficient and fast switching electrostatic valves, resulting in virtually no dead volume, and use inductors to recover over 85% capacitive energy spent, making them some of the most efficient pumps of their size.

A cbana micropump

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