Nanoelectrokinetic, Label-free Sensor for Toxic Industrial Chemical Detection

The overall objective of the effort is to develop a novel, label-free nanosensor to detect the presence of Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs) in aqueous samples. Our sensor exploits novel features of AC electrokinetics, available only at the nanoscale, to detect signatures of TICs rapidly and with high sensitivity. The label-free approach eliminates critical difficulties associated with reagent logistics and stability. During Phase I, we successfully demonstrated proof-of-principle of CFDRC’s FIND-IT sensor technology. A judicious combination of physics-based analysis and experimentation was used to demonstrate that Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) can be used for rapid (~seconds–minutes) detection of TICs/TIMs at low (sub-ppm level) concentrations. In combination, small electrode spacing and SAM modified electrodes can be used to obtain unprecedented sensitivity of detection (down to ppb level or lower). During Phase II, the design and performance specifications for the nanoimpedance based TIC/TIM sensor element will be further refined. The optimized sensor element design(s) will be microfabricated and laboratory tested to delineate sensor performance (in particular, sensitivity and specificity). Subsequently, an integrated FIND-IT sensor system prototype will be developed by integrating the sensor element along with CFDRC-developed and COTS micro- and nano- components. Integration and engineering will be guided by the need to develop a fieldable prototype with the constraints on hand-portability, ruggedness, remote operation and UAV/UGV mountability. The integrated FIND-IT sensor will be experimentally demonstrated for the detection of a suite of TICs.