Development of an Integrated Personal BioDetector

Echo Technologies, Inc. (ETI) has completed a Phase I program that demonstrated an integrated sampler/biosensor to monitor exposure to biological material in real-time. In Phase I ETI's biosensors were integrated with two small, lightweight bioaerosol samplers. A Phase I achievement was demonstration of real-time collection and detection of bacteria and spores. A simple procedure was developed for recovery of biomaterial from the sensor for DNA analysis. ETI proposes a Phase II program to further develop the sensors and prototype instrumentation. This effort will result in a system that is highly adaptable to meet stated urgent needs for biological detection for the Marine Corp and for programs such as the JBPDS or JBTDS. A Phase II effort is proposed with the following goals:  sensor characterization under a range of environmental and operational conditions.  optimization of the sampler and development of a modular "front end"  development of system networking capability.  software development for chemometric analysis and threat warning. ETI also proposes two Phase II Option efforts to augment the base effort. The first will test a new approach for improved sensor performance and environmental stability, and the second option proposed is a field test program.