Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: 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:
The purpose of this project was to create a portable echelle-based Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) system that would provide analytically reliable and reproducible information on toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and chemical warfare agents (CWAs). SERS is an enhanced Raman technique that allows detection of analytes into the low part per trillion concentration range and can potentially identify the vast majority of water contaminants at concentrations below the EPA need-to-treat detection limits. The SERS sensors coupled to a high-resolution echelle spectrograph for precise mixture analysis can provide results directly at the water source in less than 1 minute, whether the water source is treated or raw.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
This final report details the results of the Phase II program. During the Phase II program, a compact echelle spectrograph was designed, fabricated, evaluated and field tested. The echelle performed admirably and compares favorably to a laboratory unit that is twice the weight and cost and three times the size. In addition, a specialized SERS sampling accessory was designed that can preconcentrate and release the desired analytes. The ability of the SERS sensors to adsorb and detect many TICs/CWAs in distilled, total organic carbon, monochloramine and chlorine-treated water was evaluated. Detection limits into the low parts per billion were demonstrated. Issues in sensor stability and reproducibility were evaluated and addressed. Detection limits, ROC curves and signal reproducibility were thoroughly investigated. The SERS sensors were shown to have a high level of reproducibility with few false positives or false negatives.
Conclusions:
SERS is a highly useful tool for water surety analyses. Due to minor frequency shifts in similar compounds, the high-resolution echelle spectrograph produced in this program is preferred to optimize unique identification of every agent/TIC of interest. The SERS sensors can withstand the effects of disinfectants and provide the necessary results. Low ppb detection of most compounds studied could be achieved. With more research, it is clear that a usable field protocol for detection of CWAs or TICs could be developed and used by nonspecialists to monitor the water surety and purity of the Nation’s water supply.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 4 publications | 1 publications in selected types | All 1 journal articles |
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Spencer KM, Sylvia JM, Spencer SA, Clauson SL. Detection of toxic industrial chemicals in water supplies using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Proceedings of SPIE 2010;7665:766511. |
EPD09042 (Final) |
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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.