This Phase II SBIR Project will develop a product based on the new approach to the sensitive detection of organic vapors demonstrated in Phase I. The health risks to humans of exposure to organic vapors such as gasoline and solvent fumes at home and in the work place are well documented, but the availability of inexpensive, convenient, but precise chemical sensors for these contaminants is lacking. This new approach will serve as the basis for a simple but sensitive sensor for organic vapors. In this Phase II effort the novel approach to chemical amplification coupled to organic vapor detection technology already developed in Phase I by ChemMotif will be fully explored and developed into a commercially viable system. The use of chemical amplification will substantially increase the sensitivity of devices built around earlier ChemMotif technology so that these devices can be used as self-contained passive sensors for the presence of organic vapor contamination at actionable levels in an air space like an office or basement These devices can be used as a non-instrumental test for organic vapors that is. portable, self- contained, rapid in response, and easily manufactured.

Proposed Commercial Applications

With the availability of simple, relatively inexpensive tests for toxic organic vapors, a new class of detection devices will be fabricated, ones that are lower in cost, rapid in response, and employable by even the untrained user. Such a low cost device will be single-use, coated plastic strips, which, at a few dollars per test, can change the mode of testing for organic vapors such as solvents or gasoline fumes in the environment both at the workplace and in the home.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44ES009918-02
Application #
6211118
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-6 (01))
Program Officer
Heindel, Jerrold
Project Start
2000-09-01
Project End
2002-08-31
Budget Start
2000-09-01
Budget End
2001-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$427,959
Indirect Cost
Name
Chemmotif, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
004195009
City
Concord
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01742