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Nanoelectrokinetic, Label-free Sensor for Toxic Industrial Chemical Detection

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contract: W31P4Q-08-C-0019
Agency Tracking Number: 07SB2-0010
Amount: $98,919.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: SB072-001
Solicitation Number: 2007.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2007-11-08
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-07-16
Small Business Information
215 Wynn Dr., 5th Floor
Huntsville, AL 35805
United States
DUNS: 185169620
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Shivshankar Sundaram
 Vice President Biomedical Branch
 (256) 726-4892
 tsb@cfdrc.com
Business Contact
 Deborah Phipps
Title: Contracts Specialist
Phone: (256) 726-4884
Email: dap@cfdrc.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

We propose to develop a novel nanofluidic, label-free sensor to detect the presence of ultra-low levels of Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs) in aqueous environmental samples. The envisioned handheld sensor will be hand-portable, be ruggedly constructed, support remote operation and be UAV-mountable. Our sensor exploits novel features of AC electrokinetics, made possible only when the channel dimensions approach the nanoscale, to detect signatures of TICs in aqueous solution, rapidly and with very high sensitivity. Equally significantly, the label-free approach developed here eliminates critical difficulties associated with reagent logistics and stability. In Phase I, guided by physics-based simulations, we will develop the design of the basic nanosensor element. The design will conform to specifications that are amenable to mass-production-friendly lithographic techniques. The designed nanochannel sensors will be fabricated using US Army AMRDEC facilities. The prototype sensor will be challenged with common hazardous chemicals and the overall sensor response will be characterized. In Phase II, the nanofluidic sensor will be optimized to increase sensitivity. Response to array of other common toxic chemicals will be verified. Finally, the sensor will be integrated with other sample handling components (currently under development at CFDRC) and control/transmission electronics to form a hand-portable or UAV-deployable Toxic Industrial Chemical detector.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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