Advratech — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: AF14-AT21

Description

ABSTRACT: We propose a high resolution THz spectroscopic sensor for analysis of exhaled human breath related to sleep deprivation-induced fatigue by leveraging the PIs past and current DOD-sponsored research. Sensors based on terahertz molecular spectra achieve absolute specificity, high sensitivity, and high throughput, with a clear path towards inexpensive and miniature implementations. This novel sensing platform technology is suitable for a number of DOD and civilian applications. The PI has also begun demonstration of the sensor technology towards breath analysis. Fatigue can be induced by several factors, such as sleep deprivation, physical exertion, or continuous mental tasking, and is often cited as a cause in DOD mishaps. In Phase I, we will analyze breath biomarkers of fatigue in sleep derived subjects. Samples of breath will be collected in a controlled laboratory setting, and the level of fatigue will be assessed using standard cognitive metrics. Breath samples will be analyzed in parallel using a commercial analytical facility specializing in Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis in conjunction with THz analysis. The initial results will used to assess the THz detectability and sensitivity limits for compounds correlated with fatigue. BENEFIT: The proposed THz spectroscopy and sensor technology represents a significant leap in biomarker detection over current methods, such as GC-MS, and, due to the nature of detection, will have near perfect specificity for identification of a compounds molecular fingerprint. The sensor technology can be miniaturized to fit in hand-held devices, a cockpit setting, or headgear to detect fatigue. The commercial applications extend far beyond DoD requirements, and will have applications in which human performance and fatigue must be monitored.