A long-standing research interest of the McDevitt group is the science of hybrid molecular assemblies as applied to sensor and device applications.

Inspired by nature, the McDevitt group launched a research program directed towards the development of lab-on-a-chip based technologies that are suitable for the rapid analysis of complex fluids. Active lab-on-a-chip research areas include non-invasive saliva diagnostics, cardiac risk assessment, HIV diagnostics and monitoring, bioterrorism screening tools, and environmental monitoring.

These works have been selected as part of Science Coalition's "Best Scientific Advances for the Year" and have led to the establishment of two large centers at UT to develop the science and engineering bases around these discoveries.

Research efforts are underway to translate these discoveries into forms that are practical and scalable for use as real world sensors for humanitarian and civilian applications. Further, these highly sensitive and selective sensor system have begun to serve as new diagnostic tools that have enabled new clinical studies to be completed that were not previously possible.