CONSTELLATION: Portable Reconfigurable Water Tester at Point-of-Need

In this SOCOM 244 SBIR Phase II project AccuStrata continues to develop a portable reconfigurable water tester at the point of need (CONSTELLATION) to test drinking water for presence of multiple analytes. CONSTELLATION includes our specially developed portable optical detection device with a variety of reagents, chemicals and supplies packaged in a single carry-on package for operation in the field by non-expert personnel. The tester is rugged, capable of detecting various hazards to include organics, coliforms, waterborne pathogens, arsenic, lead, copper, and cyanide. The field-reconfigurable system will prevent illness in austere environments when extraction, MEDEVAC, CASEVAC, or intervention is delayed. We are relying on existing proven technologies and products that are already validated and commercialized by us or other companies. During Phase I the alpha prototype for the optical device was developed and validated for testing of bacteria and metals,  reaching TRL4.  During Phase II the team will combine several  spectroscopic detection techniques to incorporate the testing of pathogens, arsenic, lead copper and cyanide into the single opto-electronic device. The team will build and test a beta prototype of the optical device and validate its operation in a relevant austere environment. Once the device is validated, the entire CONSTELLATION kit will be developed and tested. The objective is to achieve TRL7.The new portable water tester at the point of need meeting the following specification and capability:Reconfigurable for excitation emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMS), fluorescence analysis, transmission/absorbance, turbidity and colorimetry measurement Detects pathogens,  organic and inorganic content in drinking water using the handheld optical device. Detects coliforms, E. coli and Cryptosporidium using Fluorescence analysis with enzymatic detection. Detects arsenic, lead, copper, and cyanide with a concentration result per analyte using commercially available chemical test kits using colorimetry and turbidimetry techniques. Both simple PASS/FAIL result with additional options to extract and display quantitative measurement data Ability to perform all the required tests in less than 4 hoursThe portable tester will have the following characteristics. Be easily reconfigured by software setup to allow testing for pathogens and toxins as neededBe robust and able to withstand temperature fluctuations for heat and cold  (32-120 degrees F); Both battery and 110/240 VAC/12-24 VDC powered, run time of 6 hours; Have small portables Size (18x14x9”); Weight (<25lbs), and Power (SWaP); Has agnostic interface with Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness – Industrial Hygiene (DOEHRS-IH) system of record; Be durable and able to be transported over long distances via military cargo and shipping conditions such as ruck, trucks, and air.