Webcam camera as a detector for a simple lab-on-chip time based approach

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional chemical analysis often requires expensive and complex instrumentation.
• There is a need for low-cost, portable, and accessible analytical tools for various applications.
• Webcam cameras offer a readily available and inexpensive platform for optical detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the modification of a webcam camera for use as a low-cost detector.
• To develop a simple lab-on-chip reactor system for real-time reaction monitoring.
• To establish a portable, semi-automated analysis system for chemical detection.

Main Methods:

• A webcam camera was modified to function as a detector.
• A simple lab-on-chip reactor was designed and implemented.
• Acid-base neutralization using phenolphthalein indicator was employed as a model reaction.
• Real-time color changes (%RBG - Red, Blue, Green) in the reaction zone were recorded.

Main Results:

• Real-time, continuous monitoring of the reaction zone was achieved.
• The fading of the phenolphthalein indicator's pink color was successfully recorded as changes in %RBG.
• The observed color change correlated with the acid concentration in the reaction.
• A functional low-cost, portable, semi-automated analysis system was developed.

Conclusions:

• Modified webcam cameras can serve as effective low-cost detectors for chemical analysis.
• Lab-on-chip technology combined with webcam detection enables simple and real-time monitoring of reactions.
• This approach offers a viable solution for developing affordable and portable analytical systems.