SBIR-STTR Award

The threat of biological attack can be mitigated by deployment of a cost-effective bioaerosol sensor network. For U.S. forces in particular, the high false alarm rate of the Biological Aerosol Warning System is very costly. This project will demonstrate the feasibility of a novel bioaerosol sampling system to enhance optical triggering. The sensitivity and selectivity of FT-IR instruments can provide rapid detection and quantification, but the aerosol background is a daunting problem. Efficiently concentrating the aerosol fraction, separating by size and presenting the aerosol for spectroscopic interrogation is a significant breakthrough that will dramatically improve background rejection. Acoustic field flow fractionation is an economical and powerful method for sorting small particles. An internal archiving system will store the material for subsequent laboratory analysis and database generation, which will provide enhanced statistical discrimination. The tape cartridge and filter wheel will be replaced monthly. Digital signal processing will provide power efficient and rapid data processing at small incremental cost. To prove feasibility in Phase I, a prototype sensor will be mathematically modeled, constructed and tested. Comparison of test and model results will verify optimum performance. Many Homeland Security and commercial opportunities will accrue from development of this technology. The military application for this technology is personnel protection. This effort will dramatically improve the cost/performance ratio of bioaerosol sampling systems, as well as providing a database that will enable statistical analysis of data from a worldwide network of these sensors. The largest market is the government sector, because the terrorist threat is particularly directed a government and military personnel. This technology also has commercial applications, for monitoring and verification of air quality. Conservative estimates indicate a $100 million dollar per year market for this technology. Cost-effectiveness insures capture of a significant market share.

Keywords:
Bioaerosol, Acoustic Field-Flow Fractionation, Sampling, Ft-Ir Spectrometer, Low Power, Efficient

Development of an Optimal Bioaerosol Sampler with enhanced optical triggering capability is proposed, following a highly successful Phase I effort that clearly demonstrated feasibility. The threat of a bioaerosol attack can be partially mitigated by deployment of a cost-effective sensor network. High priority programs, such as BioWatch and Portal Shield will benefit from a sensor compliant to Joint Warning & Reporting Network (JWARN) standards, as the proposed sensor will be. For U.S. forces in particular, the high false alarm rate of the Biological Aerosol Warning System (BAWS) is costly in reagents and personnel stress. The Phase II effort will refine and integrate the subsystems, successfully demonstrated in Phase I, to produce a working prototype that meets operational requirements. Successes of the Phase I effort include operation of two subsystems, the high-efficiency electrostatic concentrator, and the prototype acoustic particle sorter. The sensitivity and selectivity of FT-IR instruments provide rapid detection, but the aerosol background is a daunting problem. High SNR FT-IR photoacoustic detection of aerosols and archived samples were also demonstrated and will provide enhanced statistical discrimination. Commercial and scientific opportunities in material processing and aerosol sampling will accrue from development of this technology.

Keywords:
Bioaerosol, Acoustic Field-Flow Fractionation, Sampling, Ft-Ir Spectrometer, Low Power, Efficient