SBIR Phase I: Centralized Raman Spectroscopy for Process Optimization

The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to develop and validate an optical sensor system that identifies harmful chemicals in water instantly, continuously, and without adding any substances to the water itself. Current methods require manual sample collection followed by either shipment to an outside laboratory, a process taking days, or on-site chemical test kits that introduce reagents with their own environmental and safety risks. We will develop an approach that eliminates both limitations by providing real-time tracking of hazardous compounds directly where they are found. Early detection of substances such as nitrogen and ammonia, which are toxic to fish and animals, contaminate drinking water, and fuel algal blooms that close beaches and harm communities, means intervention can happen in time to prevent damage. This innovation advances the national interest by protecting public health, safeguarding shared water resources, reducing dependence on chemical-based water treatment and enhancing of local aquaculture production. This project will develop and validate a next-generation Swept-Source Raman spectroscopy platform for scalable, real-time, multi-analyte chemical sensing in distributed industrial environments, with an initial application in water quality monitoring. Phase I work will address the core technical challenge of replacing traditional dispersive spectrometers with a network of small, low-cost detectors powered by a single centralized tunable laser source, capable of operating over long distances without sacrificing sensitivity or resolution. This architecture fundamentally overcomes the sensitivity-resolution trade-off inherent in classical dispersive spectroscopy, with the intellectual contribution of this project being the first demonstration that distributed Swept-Source Raman sensing can match the sensitivity of on-site reagent-based testing methods in real-world field conditions. This project will focus on three interconnected technical objectives. The first is to increase optical throughput through the integration of next-generation laser sources with higher outputs and faster response times, paired with redesigned receiver hardware. The second is the development of a novel algorithmic pipeline combining advanced signal processing and physics-informed modeling to achieve real-time sensitivity comparable to on-site reagent-based methods, targeting limits of detection derived from federal regulations. The final goal is to validate this platform across chemical analytes relevant to water monitoring, demonstrating a system that can be tailored on demand for specific detection targets in aquaculture, environmental monitoring, and industrial process applications. Validation will occur in both controlled laboratory environments and active aquaculture facilities, establishing the technical and commercial feasibility required for Phase II deployment. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.