SBIR Phase I: Silicon-based Biosensor for Bioagent Detection

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a prototype porous silicon biosensor that will be useful for rapidly distinguishing the molecular fingerprint of a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria. Remediation of biothreat agents is dependent on the use of versatile, low cost, widely dispersible biosensors that can assess or monitor threat levels in a given environment. The proposed device will address these needs because it will be manufactured from low cost materials (i.e. silicon wafers), with nano-structured pores that can be utilized as both the capture material and reporter moiety. The commercial application of this project will be in bio-defense and in clinical diagnostics for detection of pathogenic organisms.