SBIR Phase I: Development of a Low-Cost Optical-Based Probe for Detection of Red-Tide Blooms

9861436这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一期项目将解决探针技术的发展，以确定有毒藻类。藻类毒素可导致野生和养殖鱼类大量死亡，污染贝类床，并因食用这些产品而导致人类疾病。一旦形成，有害藻华通常是单特异性的。花的生物光学“指纹”与特定的色素组成和比例有关，与该物种不同。这使其成为基于色素的分析技术，用于开花开始的识别、跟踪和资源保护。第一阶段将研究一种新型探针，用于原位监测水生系统中的光合色素，利用窄带反射/吸收/荧光（RAF）传感器同时测定色素成分和物种识别（特别是赤潮藻类）。商业应用有望在科学仪器的大量市场。估计每年政府和私营部门在色素分析方面的支出预计为2300万美元。与收集和处理有关的支出估计为2.24亿美元。

9861436 This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Project will address the development of probe technology to speciate toxic algae. Algal toxins can cause mass mortality of wild and farmed fish, contaminate shellfish beds, and cause human illnesses from consumption of these products. Once established, harmful algal blooms typically are monospecific. The bio-optical "fingerprint" of the bloom, related to the specific pigment composition and ratios, is distinct to that species. This lends itself to pigment based analysis techniques for bloom onset identification, tracking, and resource protection. Phase I will investigate a novel probe for in situ monitoring photosynthetic pigments in aquatic systems, utilizing a simultaneous narrow band Reflectance/Absorption/Fluorometric (RAF) sensor for determination of pigment composition and species identification (specifically red tide algae). Commercial applications are expected in substantial markets for scientific instrumentation. Estimated annual government and private sector expenditures on pigment analysis are projected to be $23 million. Expenditures associated with collection and processing are estimated at $224 million.