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Rapid Concentration of Particles in Large Volumes of Fluid

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W911SR-07-C-0068
Agency Tracking Number: A064-022-0171
Amount: $749,925.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: A06-T022
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2007-09-07
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-09-08
Small Business Information
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810
United States
DUNS: 073800062
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Edward Rietman
 Principal Research Scientist
 (978) 689-0003
 rietman@psicorp.com
Business Contact
 B. Green
Title: President of R&D Group
Phone: (978) 689-0003
Email: green@psicorp.com
Research Institution
 WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
 Bart Lipkens
 
1215 Wilbraham Road P.O.Box 5147
Springfield, MA 1119
United States

 (413) 782-1220
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

Physical Sciences Inc. proposes an innovative approach to rapidly concentrate (1000:1) bacterial spores from large volumes of water for identification. The problem we address is the limitation of modern biological pathogen detection capability, a solution to which is contaminant concentration to a level at which these can respond. Our approach is based on the separation and collection of suspended pathogen particles using acoustic energy, or acoustophoresis. The results and models of the Phase I work are extended to improve the design to meet or exceed the stated concentration goals. The primary advantages of our approach are its fast, efficient operation, the lack of membranes to clog or dry out, and that it operates electronically and therefore has a semi-infinite shelf life. The objectives of the Phase II program are to: 1) Build an acoustophoretic concentrator that demonstrates a 1000:1 concentration of Bacillus Subtilis (concentration >=3 spores/liter) in 30 minutes or less from 1000 liters of potable water. 2) Determine the feasibility of integrating inline monitoring, such as the use of ATR-FTIR, with this concentrator approach. 3) Evaluate the feasibility of electrophoresis as a tool to enhance particle concentration in the acoustophoretic concentrator.

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

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