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Bead Blender
- Program: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Course: EN.540.314 ChemBE Product Design
- Year: 2026
Project Description:
The Bead Blender is a portable, handheld homogenizer designed to enable on-site allergen testing beyond the lab. While current consumer tests rely on liquid samples, most high-risk “danger foods” are solids, such as bakery goods and processed meats. Our device utilizes a vibration-based bead-milling system and single-use cartridges to achieve 95% allergen extraction from solid food in under one minute.
We employ an integrated filtration system that produces a clarified extract compatible with standard lateral flow assays (LFAs). By delivering lab-grade sample preparation in a compact, user-friendly format, the Bead Blender eliminates the need for specialized laboratory equipment and reduces cross-contamination risk.
This innovation unlocks the capability of existing LFA test strips to become a universal food safety tool, empowering users to test their food anywhere (home kitchens, restaurants, etc.) for a fraction of the cost of traditional lab equipment.
Project Photo:
BeadBlender prototype and logo. The device utilizes alumina beads to create mechanical disruption for food homogenization along with a multi-layer mesh system to produce a clarified extract compatible with lateral flow assays. An extraction buffer facilitates protein solubilization for allergen detection.
