Grantee Research Project Results

1998 Progress Report: Hybrid Electrochemical-Piezoelectric Sensor for RCRA Metals in Groundwater: Detection of Hexavalent Chromium

EPA Contract Number: 68D99077
Title: Hybrid Electrochemical-Piezoelectric Sensor for RCRA Metals in Groundwater: Detection of Hexavalent Chromium
Investigators: Andle, Jeffrey C.
Small Business: BIODE Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1999 through September 1, 2001
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 1997 through September 1, 1998
Project Amount: $224,155
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1999) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , SBIR - Monitoring , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Description:

BIODE has developed a hybrid sensor that combines the sensitivity of piezoelectric nanobalance technology with the selectivity of stripping potentiometric analysis for the detection of ionic mercury in aqueous samples. This previous SBIR project has resulted in a single sensor that is capable of detecting single nanogram per milliliter levels of ionic mercury. By improving the electrochemical circuitry and using suitable electrode modification, the technique will be extended to the detection and speciation of additional toxic heavy metal ions and their organometallic complexes. The long-term goal of this SBIR project is an array of electrochemical nanobalances for the simultaneous detection and speciation of all RCRA metals. By pursuing improvements in the piezoelectric element, 10-fold to 100-fold sensitivity increases will be possible. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of this sensor system by focusing on the speciation of ionic chromium. Under this project BIODE will demonstrate the ability of the sensor to detect carcinogenic chromium (VI) while distinguishing it from the essential nutrient, chromium (III), and the species already detectable by the sensor, Mercury (II). Phase I will continue to employ quartz shear horizontal acoustic plate mode (SHAPM) sensors with single nanogram sensitivity and improved sensitivity.

Supplemental Keywords:

small business, SBIR, monitoring, analytical, engineering, chemistry, EPA., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, mercury transport, Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Analytical Chemistry, 33/50, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Mercury, aquatic ecosystem, environmental monitoring, fate and transport, electrochemical technology, chromium & chromium compounds, aqueous mercury, electrochemical , Chromium, metal ions, stripping potentiometric analysis, mercury & mercury compounds, electrochemical analysis, piezoelectric, electrochemical sensor, Piezoelectric sensor, sensor, sensor technology, heavy metals, metals

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

Final Report

SBIR Phase I:

Hybrid Electrochemical-Piezoelectric Sensor for RCRA Metals in Groundwater: Detection of Hexavalent Chromium  | 1998 Progress Report  | Final Report