Grantee Research Project Results
Water Security Monitoring Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
EPA Contract Number: EPD09042Title: Water Security Monitoring Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Investigators: Spencer, Kevin M.
Small Business: EIC Laboratories Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: March 19, 2009 through June 30, 2011
Project Amount: $224,979
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2009) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Homeland Security , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Clean drinking water is a critical component of the United States infrastructure and is therefore a potential target for terrorists. In addition to physical attacks to the water network, like dams, pumping stations and pipelines, there must be vigilance to prevent the water itself from being fouled with toxic/hazardous chemicals. It is virtually impossible to protect every river, stream or lake that contributes to the nation’s drinking water supply; therefore rapid detection of a chemical/biological attack followed by rapid remediation is paramount. Many toxins are deadly at very low dosages (low ppb or less for chemical, 1-100 cts/mL for biologic), requiring sensitive and precise measurements. Immediate on-site identification and action precludes the transport of samples to a laboratory setting.
This program will demonstrate a handheld sensor that could also be potentially used in-line. This sensor is based on Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS); the ability of SERS to detect chemical warfare agents was demonstrated at EIC Laboratories during the Joint Services Agent Water Monitoring program. In the Phase I program, SERS detection of a wide variety of chemical warfare agent simulants and degradation products as well as several pesticides and other TICs was demonstrated. Unique identification of each analyte was shown and ROC curve analyses were performed on some agent simulants. The ROC curves demonstrate that SERS can detect the analytes of interest with a high degree of sensitivity and selectivity. The highly encouraging Phase I experiments performed showed very few false positives and very few false negatives. The Phase II program will engineer and fabricate a compact, full range high resolution totally automatable SERS spectrograph with sampling accessory for rapid (~60s) field identification and quantification of aqueous toxins. The throughput and stray light rejection abilities of the instrument will be defined as will the precision of the SERS sensors. An expanded library of TICs will be collects and ROC curves generated. The program will culminate with testing against a chemical warfare agent during the ETV option.
The Phase I results are extremely encouraging and point to the possibility for a fieldable instrument that can rapidly identify and quantify chemical warfare agent or toxic industrial chemicals that have entered the water supply. Although developed for Homeland Security measures, this sensor can also be used to monitor cleanups of toxic spills or pesticide/fertilizer runoff from nearby farms. The sensor could also be extended to biological contaminations.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 4 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase I:
Water Security Monitoring Using Surface-Enhanced Raman SpectroscopyThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.