Graphene-based Nanosensor Device for Rapid, Onsite Detection of Total Lead in Tap Water

PROJECT SUMMARY Aging water infrastructure across the United States still contains significant amounts of components that contain lead. There are many old service lines in use that are made of lead and other components, such as elbows and solder, containing some lead that leeches into the drinking water. The negative health impacts of lead are primarily attributed to chronic exposure to sources with undetected lead, which are particularly troublesome and problematic because of the neurological damage to children. Current lead testing methods are either accurate, expensive, slow, and difficult; or low-cost, fast, easy to use, and notoriously inaccurate. The frequency of current testing is inadequate. The regular use of the NanoAffix Science, LLC (NAFX) handheld lead tester - even if intermittently - will virtually eliminate the chance of chronic exposure to undetected lead, thereby accruing significant and predictable public health impact, especially in those locations that are at the highest risk. NAFX proposes to address the above unmet need by increasing access to quantitative water quality monitoring with a low-cost, easy-to-use, and accurate handheld lead test kit for rapid detection of total lead in drinking water. The handheld lead testing kit combines a novel proprietary sensor chip with nanoscale thin film coatings in a proprietary test cell with a portable meter that communicates via Bluetooth with a smartphone app for direct readout of testing results. The Phase II project successfully developed a minimum viable product that has led to some initial sales orders by early adopters and potential business partners. A proprietary and novel solution for dissolving particulate lead was developed and market research was conducted through a beta-testing program using prototype devices. NAFX successfully transitioned from lab scale production to pilot scale production. As part of the commercial readiness pilot (CRP) program, NAFX will scale up manufacturing beyond pilot scale, conduct additional product development based on the feedback received from initial customers and the field validation conducted as part of the beta-testing program. Product and method certifications will be obtained to ensure that customers who test for regulatory compliance purposes are able to use the NAFX product. Scaling up manufacturing will lead to reduced variability, reduced costs, and the ability of NAFX to fulfill larger orders. NAFX will continue to engage in market planning and research to better understand our current target markets and to learn of new target markets.