Award Data

In Phase I, Aerius Photonics demonstrated Raman spectroscopy at 785 nm, 980 nm, and 1064 nm, with only 1064 nm-based excitation showing a reduction in fluorescence. In addition, Aerius Photonics and partner Ahura Scientific, demonstrated a breadboard version of an InGaAs-based Raman spectrometer to assess any engineering challenges. By the end of a Phase III, Aerius proposes to develop a handheld ...

Current drug discovery and development programs are severely limited by the expensive animal trials and oversimplified in vitro models. Results obtained from the in vitro models are not predictive of in vivo toxicity owing to significant difference in testing from the in vivo physiological conditions. In this context, we propose to develop and demonstrate a novel microfluidic device for quantitati ...

Molecular biology techniques allow generating combinatorial libraries of large number of enzyme variants. However, there is currently no technology available for screening the enzyme libraries for identifying variants with improved activity for the substrate. We propose to develop a novel, microfluidic, high-throughput platform for determining kinetic constants of enzyme variants and identifying v ...

Our objective is to develop a novel micropower source to be integrated with a microsensor, and communication chip on an insect, delivering a state-of-the-art unmanned chemical detection device. The biological fuel cell (Bio-FC) power source will leverage ongoing research at CFDRC and provide a compact/lightweight power supply for mounting on numerous types of insects and producing necessary power ...

Guild Associates, Inc. proposes to develop and evaluate an active electrochemical sensor based residual life indicator (RLI) for adsorptive carbon filters. The sensing system of the RLI will operate by analyzing the electrochemical state of the carbon within the filter and evaluate the remaining adsorptive reactive capacities of the filter. The sensor design will be challenged against an array of ...

Currently fielded respiratory protective systems in the Joint Services General Purpose Mask (JSGPM) program degrade in visual performance capability in extreme hot and cold environments. Optical and mechanical properties of existing anti-fog coatings also diminish when subjected to cleaning/sanitization operations. To address these needs, InnoSense LLC (ISL), in Phase I, has combined nanomaterials ...

Building on our successful Phase I work our Phase II objectives are to complete development and integration of our two proposed sensors into an unprecedented self-confirming MeS detection system further refining our ability to meet key requirements identified in Phase I. More specifically, we will develop a NEMS based MeS sensor system complete with a telemetry system and/or a remote logging, data ...

Organophosphorus (OP) compounds have been extensively used as pesticides and chemical warfare agents . Potential OPs exposure exists both on the battlefield and in the civilian sector. OPs exposure inhibits enzyme activity, allowing excess acetylcholine to accumulate. Screening of multiple enzymes is highly desirable because it may provide a comprehensive description of the warrior’s capacity fo ...

Rapid identification of asymmetric warfare modes, including unconventional chemical agents based attacks, is vital to the protection of U.S. armed forces personnel. Existing detection methods use bulky and expensive laboratory equipment to analytically determine the identity and concentration of chemical threats, negating their battlefield use. Colorimetric indicators such as the currently deploye ...

Coordination and merging of multiple distributed sensors over a communications network can substantially improve estimates of the type and severity of potential hazards for command and control (C2) decision makers. These sensors include long range instruments such as radar, infrared (IR), electro-optical, and long wave hyper spectral; short range instruments such as Raman spectrometers; and a wid ...