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Real-time Monitor to Detect Waterborne Contaminants

Award Information
Agency: National Science Foundation
Branch: N/A
Contract: 0944476
Agency Tracking Number: 0944476
Amount: $149,703.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: BC
Solicitation Number: NSF 09-541
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
PO Box 1
Owls Head, NY 12969
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 John Merrill
 MFA
 (518) 483-0470
 jmerrill@quansor.com
Business Contact
 John Merrill
Title: MFA
Phone: (518) 483-0470
Email: jmerrill@quansor.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

This SBIR Phase I project will develop a solution to real-time monitoring of contaminants at specific nodes in the water use cycle. The company will employ a proven sensor technology, the quartz crystal microbalance, to detect chemical and biological contaminants. The quartz crystal microbalance uses chemical receptors to bind target contaminants, either individual species or in groups. Quansor has developed chemical receptors for a wide range of inorganic (especially mercury and arsenic) pesticides and nerve agents and biologicals. The system to be developed will use 2 quartz balances operating in a parallel fashion. It will address potential problems of fouling and other interferences. The project will develop the means to overcome that problem and enable monitors to operate in surface and ground waters.
The broader/commercial impact of the project will be the removal of contaminants from the water supply. Ninety million Americans are exposed to some level of arsenic and mercury in their tap water from public supplies. The project will optimize the cost efficiency and other environmental impacts on the effectiveness of treatment options to ensure a high level of arsenic removal.

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

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