Award Data

Historically organophosphorus compounds such as insecticides and nerve agents have been susceptible to decomposition by proteinaceous enzymes. Organophosphate hydrolases (OPH) represent a practical method to deactivate such compounds peripherally and on surfaces. However, when such organophosphates are ingested, the use of proteinaceous enzymes such as OPH can be problematic because of their tende ...

Aerosols represent one of the more efficient methods to distribute biological and chemical agents throughout the atmosphere. Small aerosol droplets can be readily inhaled and easily penetrate deep into the lungs where they lodge in bronchial alveoli. Within the alveoli, chemical and biological agents can breach epithelial and endothelial cell layers and enter the bloodstream, where they cause da ...

Given the possibility to administer prophylactic doses of protein bioscavengers inactivating OP nerve agents before they reach their acetylcholinesterase target, much attention has been given to proteins such as human butyrylcholinesterase and paraoxonase I. As small nucleic acid catalysts can exhibit triphosphoesterase activities, the identification of new molecules active against nerve agents w ...

Shelter enclosures for military working dogs in the event of a CB attack is a technology gap identified by the Joint Requirements Office. Important parameters to consider in the design of protective enclosures include low weight and size to minimize transport requirements; rapid setup; and accommodation of canine physiological and psychological comfort needs. The overall operational weight of th ...

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy and broad applicability of the human immune-modulating alphaGal Adjuvant Technology for antiviral vaccine development. We will use viral vaccine candidates for the select Category A viral pathogens Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV, filovirus), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV, bunyavirus), and Lassa virus (LV, arenavirus), to evaluate the adjuvant pot ...

This proposed project directly addresses an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calling for improved detection and measurement techniques including screening kits for algal neurotoxins (especially cyanobacterial anatoxin) and cytotoxins in drinking water systems. Bloom-forming cyanobacteria have been observed in water bodies, including drinking water reservoirs all over the world. Several ...

The primary objective of this effort is to design and develop a database management system (DBMS) and enable the integrated interpretation of the vast amounts of genomic and proteomic data in proper biological context. This DBMS will enable the development of diagnostic assays for human exposure to specific biological threat agents using an existing suite of systems biology tools. The DBMS design ...

America needs a clean, affordable, reliable and sustainable product or system to obtain heat for residences in cold climates using renewable, carbon-neutral, plentiful, low-cost biomass fuels of diverse types found close to the location of usage. The available biomass could heat hundreds of thousands of homes, and costly natural gas could be directed to higher-value usage. Gasifiers are devices t ...

The proposed Phase I SBIR research is expected to lead to the development of a low cost portable instrument capable of making real time measurements of phosphate in water and soil samples. The sensor system for this instrument will be based on the highly selective phosphate binding properties of a co-polymer to be synthesized in this research. In many areas, the rapid growth and intensification ...

In the proposed project, Enertechnix will develop optimized designs for an improved inlet for the Dry Filter Unit (DFU) capable of achieving high collection efficiencies for particles between 1 and 20 microns in diameter while functioning reliably on board naval vessels. This new inlet will be insensitive to wind direction and speed and will be tolerant of harsh weather and wave conditions. By inc ...