Disposable MEMS-based Raman Micro-spectrometer for Improved Characterization of Waste in Tanks and Ancillary Piping

In the aftermath of the Cold War, 91 million gallons of toxic waste from the fabrication of nuclear munitions are buried in aging tanks in dozens of locations across the U.S. Given the toxicity, chemical complexity, and location of the waste, new rugged, remote, sensitive, and selective chemical detection technologies are urgently needed for in situ characterization of storage tanks and contaminated piping after waste removal, in order to establish safe conditions. Based on MEMS fabrication techniques, this project will develop a novel miniature chemical sensor that will enable remote characterization of complex mixtures with high sensitivity and selectivity. The sensor will be integrated with a commercially available handheld spectroscopic analyzer unit to rapidly initiate field testing at DOE sites. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee The new chemical sensor would enable the successful and safe remediation of the Cold War legacy. Beyond the application to DOE environmental management responsibilities, the sensor could be used in the detection of chemical warfare agents, explosives, or narcotics, as well as in industrial process monitoring and medical diagnostics