Low SWaP, UxS-Mounted System for In-Situ Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms

The brevetoxins (PbTx) produced by Karenia brevis cause harmful algal blooms (HAB) or "red tide" in seawater. Currently, the only available ways of detecting PbTx are laboratory tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, which are expensive and slow, and require complex instrumentation and multiple processing steps. In previous work Intelligent Optical Systems (IOS) demonstrated a compact lateral flow assay with a highly specific labeled PbTx antibody, a quick in-situ test that matches the detection capabilities of dedicated laboratory test instruments. We now propose to incorporate our PbTx probes into a miniaturized fluid delivery system with an in-situ readout unit, and leverage our experience in optoelectronic design and uncrewed system (UxS) integration to merge a low size, weight and power system onto a COTS UxS for the real-time, in-situ detection of HABs. The PbTx probes, enhanced with surface plasmon detection and our own pH indicator, will be combined with our newly developed optical fiber fluorimeter that incorporates both excitation and detection components. The fluid delivery system will dispense small volumes of ocean water for sampling, and for washing to remove bound PbTx, making the sensor reversible.