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RFID Tags for Mobile DNA Analysis
Syrma Develops RFID Tags for Mobile DNA Analysis

May 24, 2018

Modern DNA science has revolutionized law enforcement and military field operations, revealing the identities of criminals or terrorists, or quickly exonerating the innocent, as well as correctly identifying human remains. One US-based company has developed a mobile, self-contained DNA analysis instrument where such pinpoint analysis once took extensive testing by trained lab technicians. This device enables non-technical personnel at the scene to analyze and record full DNA profiles from human blood or tissue samples or swabs from previously handled items such as drinking glasses, cell phones, or even chewing gum or cigarette butts. This game-changing innovation reduces the timeframe of DNA identification from days or weeks at the lab to as little as two hours in the field.

Challenges

A key element of this automated solution is the incorporation of RFID tracking technology. Scannable tags are embedded into the caps of vials holding individual DNA test samples, matching those original containers to the final test results. These tags need to meet rigorous performance specifications and protect subjects’ personal data by HIPAA and other government regulations. The company turned to us for custom development of these essential components. We were initially referred to this client by another supplier, one of America’s leading microchip manufacturers, based on prior collaborative successes. Having designed the handheld RFID reader hardware that scanned the vials, they sought embedded tags that seamlessly integrate with that equipment with quality and long-term reliability for both police and military users.

Following careful consideration of the client’s specifications, our engineering team recommended a 10×1.6 mm ISO 15693 tag encased in a flat, circular epoxy housing that could be easily embedded into the lids of the sample DNA vials specially tested for compatibility with the existing reader chipset for optimal performance. After we offered competitive pricing estimates, thanks largely to the cost-conscious advantages of our long-established supplier ecosystem, the client green-lighted initial production runs of 200-piece quantities, keeping pace with their own factory production.

Successes

We contribute our 40 years of design and manufacturing expertise spanning multiple diverse markets. We look forward to discussing how we can deliver world-class products for OEMs across the globe. We understand our home Indian market, familiar with its vast regulatory and selling environments. We foster growth opportunities within India through our strong technology incubation ecosystem. We also assist global OEMs in entering the Indian market by leveraging the local supply chain and favorable operating environments for cost reductions.

Our flagship Chennai location opened in 2006 and lies within a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for electronics manufacturing, offering economic incentives for imports and exports. This primary facility is within 90 minutes of the Chennai seaport and 20 minutes to the international airport. Additional road and rail connectivity links to the rest of India and beyond and infrastructure advantages with faster import and export clearances. We also have labor force flexibility, both technical and manual, to scale to demand rapidly.

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