Development of a Smart Air Sampler System

51108-98-I Development of a Smart Air Sampler System--Research International, Inc., 18706 142nd Avenue, Northeast, Woodinville, WA 98072-8523; (425) 486-7831 Mr. Eric W. Saaski, Principal Investigator Ms. Joyce M. Brien, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82655 Amount: $74,957 To deter terrorism and mitigate the impact of potential chemical and biological agent releases in urban environments, there is a need for a portable, efficient, and smart air sampler to collect and quantify such releases. This project will develop a portable microprocessor-based air sampler for use in the collection of biological and chemical agents. It would be low-power, lightweight, and portable to allow for integration with diverse detection systems. High efficiency and well-defined collection behavior will be gained through the use of a two-stage collection process and a multiple-effect air-to-water mass transfer device. In Phase I, detailed modeling and analytical optimization will be performed. This will be followed by testing of specific and novel system features and construction of a prototype embodying the two-stage collection strategy. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Portable, smart aerosol collectors have application for pathogen sampling in public facilities such as hospitals and in the environmental areas, and to monitoring of pesticide dispersal and factory stack emissions._