This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a MEMS sensor array for use in a small, battery operated system to detect chemicals commonly produced by toxic molds. Most mold related health problems result from exposure to Stachybotrys, a fungus, which causes the "sick building syndrome." The Stachybotrys mycotoxin is a trichothecene, a stable, multicyclic epoxide, which readily crosses cell membranes, attacking ribosomes and inhibiting protein synthesis. This sensor will utilize an array of surface micromachined capacitors, coated with chemoselective polymeric materials that will be optimized for tricothecenes and similar analogs containing epoxides and multicyclic organics.

The commercial application of this project will be to detect toxic molds that cause the sick building syndrome. Toxic mold is a $1 billion problem in this country alone. Growing awareness and concern about the health impact from fungal toxins has made the detection and isolation of suspect molds a major environmental concern. When combined with inexpensive wireless communications technology, these sensors will be ideal for monitoring a variety of chemical and physical targets in a distributed system where a premium is placed on early detection. Minor modifications to the detector would allow for development of products for other applications, such as monitoring of air pollution around factories, and of oil degradation in power transformers and fuel cells.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
0441499
Program Officer
George B. Vermont
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2005-01-01
Budget End
2005-06-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$99,040
Indirect Cost
Name
Seacoast Science, Inc
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Carlsbad
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92009