SBIR-STTR Award

There is a need for a portable detector system that can detect illegal drugs, primarily marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, entering the United States aboard maritime vessels. A preliminary investigation has shown that SAW technology can detect 10 femtograms (1 x 10-14) with a signal to noise ratio of 3:1. In addition, these sensors have a dynamic range of over 1,000,0-00. By combining SAW technology with fast chromatography, femtogram sensitivity and low false alarm rate ( 1%) can be achieved. A portable instrument capable of taking samples from the open environment or sealed containers is proposed. The objective of the Phase I effort will be to theoretically predict and experimentally measure the sensitivity of SAW sensors to marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Based upon these experiments, a prototype drug detection system will be designed and constructed during Phase II. The advantages of the proposed approach are: (1) the instrument is based on an innovative combination of fast chromatography and SAW sensor technology, (2) construction is based upon small size and low power solid-state components, and (3) the drug detection system can be portable real-time, and low cost.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications Of Results:The end product of the Phase I program will be a design for a prototype real-time instrument for the detection of drugs. The development of a portable, highly sensitive instrument for the detection of illicit drugs has direct application to the commercial market in the area of state and local enforcement agencies.

A handheld flashlight sized drug detector has beendesigned for the detection of illicit drugs. This detector ishighly sensitive for the detection of cocaine, heroin, andmarijuana in the femtogram range (10-15 g) utilizing innovativeSurface Acoustic Wave (SAW) resonator as sensor operating atgigahertz frequency. Phase I experimental results showed that SAWsensors could detect femtogram of drug vapor with a signal-to-noiseratio of 2:1. A dynamic range of 106 and a false alarm rate of <1% were predicted. High-speed chromatography combined with thehigh sensitivity of the SAW detector and selective preconcentrationallowed continuous sampling with results displayed every 30 secondsor less. In Phase II, a prototype flashlight size handheldinstrument will be fabricated, tested, and delivered to the U.S.Coast Guard for evaluation. The Phase II innovative research willdemonstrate: (1) SAW detector sensitivity to 1 femtogram ofcocaine, heroin and marijuana, (2) high-speed chromatography usingcryo-focus injection with drug peaks eluted in less than 30 sec.and (3) selective preconcentration of the drug vapors usingmolecular modeling to select an appropriate adsorbent coating.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Results:This handheld drug detector, if developed, has many commercialapplications and is very useful to law enforcement agencies such asU.S. Coast Guard and local police. Also, similar instruments canbe derived from this technology for detecting explosives and toxicpollutants.