Ashwin-Ushas Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A13-079

Description

This work proposes ruggedized, microporous membrane-based sensors for detection of multiple inorganic and organic analytes in the environment based on a modification of voltammetric techniques. It leverages ongoing work at this firm for the Army in voltammetric electrochemical sensors for field sensing of CW agents based on unique membranes having microchip Controllers with Android cellphone control interfaces. Voltammetric techniques are sensitive techniques for detection, quantitation of multiple inorganic/organic analytes present together, in a laboratory setting. However, they are currently impractical/expensive for field use, requiring, e.g., specialized sampling cells, bulky potentiostats, and laptop control interfaces. Other techniques, e.g. AAS, ICP-AES and ICP-MS, are even less practical and more expensive. The proposed technology incorporates three modules: (1) A small, flexible, thin-film, field-rugged, throwaway sensor employing unique, Conducting-Polymer-functionalized, metalized microporous membranes, using both direct and modified-electrode sensing (for specific sensitivity). (2) A tiny (2 cm square), inexpensive (<$4) microchip-based Controller on which a control program resides. (3) Android cellphone-based control interface and results display interfacing with existing Army phone software, e.g. NetWarrior. The latter two modules were developed at this firm for ongoing CW agent sensing work. Data collected specifically for this proposal with ruggedized-sensor prototypes show excellent detection and discrimination of multiple analytes.