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High Sensitivity, Low Cost Fluorescence Detection for Beryllium Particulates

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-06ER84587
Agency Tracking Number: 81148S06-I
Amount: $749,865.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 06
Solicitation Number: DE-FG01-05ER05-28
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
4541 East Fort Lowell Road
Tucson, AZ 85712
United States
DUNS: 167156608
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Juan AG404 Lopez Tonazzi
 Dr
 (520) 321-7680
 jctonazzi@qwest.net
Business Contact
 Anoop Agrawal
Title: Dr
Phone: (520) 321-7680
Email: aagrawal@qwest.net
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

The unique properties of beryllium (Be) have lead to many applications, ranging from the aerospace and nuclear industry to manufacturing and electronics. Unfortunately, beryllium is a Class A EPA carcinogen and, when inhaled into the lungs, can cause an incurable and potentially fatal lung disease. This project will demonstrate the use of fluorescence to improve the detection limit for beryllium. In Phase I, it was shown that beryllium can be measured at the ultra-low levels required to assure worker safety. Phase II will demonstrate a working system, which includes a fluorometer that will be amenable to commercialization. The second goal of Phase II is to automate the system so that more than 240 samples can be processed per shift. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A simpler, inexpensive method to analyze beryllium, which can be used on site for fast quantitative results, will allow industry and government laboratories to better protect their staffs.

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

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