Development of a Detector Using Fluorescent Coated Filters

Sensera Inc., in collaboration with the University of Central Florida (UCF), proposes to build sensor filters with fluorescent detection for the preconcentration and detection of Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs). These filter-based detection systems allowfor continuous monitoring of BWAs in reservoirs, lakes and rivers. During Phase I, Sensera and UCF developed and demonstrated two sensor filter membranes that change fluorescent signals in the presence of BWA simulants without the need of userintervention. In Phase II, the team will further optimize the filter membranes and incorporate them as an array in an actual filter housing. A prototype detection device for both filter types will be built, and the arrays will be characterized for theirdetection limit, response time, reproducibility, cross reactivity and response to interferents. Software to decode the array signals and indicate the presence of agents will also be configured. Live agent testing will be performed at Battelle for finalverification of the sensor prototype. The proposed detection system can be adapted to many commercial applications, such as: environmental and water-quality monitoring; food-quality monitoring; viral and bacterial pathogens detection for medicaldiagnostics; and hazardous material emergency response units.