SBIR-STTR Award

Sensors exist to detect biological warfare agents and to provide an early warning so that precautionary and countermeasures can be implemented if necessary. Current assay technology is capable of detecting quantities of bacteria, viruses, and toxin molecules to levels as low as 10-12g. Introduction of the collected material into some assay devices requires sample reduction to liquid phase. An advanced material called aerogel will be investigated for utility in an automated collection subsystem. In terms of aerodynamic filtration efficiency, aerogel has outstanding potential due to its nanometer-size pore structure. The porosity of aerogel reaches 99.8% which could produce an ultra-low pressure drop that directly reduces power consumption. The inner surface area of this material is approximately 1600 m2/g and it may be possible to treat it with reactants to enhance the entrapment of biological agents. The most applicable property for this research is that aerogel can be made either hydrophilic or hydrophobic. This allows easy reduction of the collected sample to liquid phase with a simple aqueous process. Phase I research will focus on measuring the fundamental filtration/collection properties of aerogel followed by several baseline collection subsystem designs.

Sensors exist to detect biological warfare agents and to provide an early warning so that precautionary and countermeasures can be implemented. Bio-sensor functional requirements are grouped into three components: collection, sample preparation, and assay. Collection requires the sampling media to have high efficiency in terms of aerodynamic particles (aerosols) and biological viability (bio-aerosols). Sample preparation for many assay methods requires the sample to be in liquid form as well as adding assistant compounds (e.g., tags). Current assay technology is capable of detecting minute quantities of bacteria, viruses, and toxins using a wide variety of methods. For most bio-sensor systems, the functional requirements are achieved by three separate modules that make it difficult to miniaturize, conserve power, or increase detection sensitivity. A bio-aerosol collection subsystem using an innovative material called aerogeol will be developed by exploiting the material's unique properties for use as a multi-functional collection and sample preparation medium. Phase II work will build from the basic research results of Phase I in a rapid-paced program. The program is structured into three elements: applied research, engineering development, and testing and evaluation. This project will culminate in a laboratory prototype bio-aerosol collection subsystem.