SBIR Phase I: Novel Bioaerosol Concentrator/Sampler for Enhanced Biosensor Performance

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将确定将两种已建立的颗粒分离技术与连续颗粒转移机制相结合的可行性，以生产一种生物气溶胶浓缩器/取样器，该装置比传统取样设备有显著改进。快速生物传感/检测需要浓缩器/采样器，它可以(a)从大空气量中有效地收集和浓缩可吸入颗粒（1-10毫米），(b)有效地转移收集到的颗粒（干的或湿的）进行采样，(c)保持采样生物制剂的高活力，以及(d)按比例放大/缩小以用于各种应用。该研究计划包括设计、制造和测试一种新型原型浓缩器/采样器，评估颗粒收集/浓缩性能，以及使用惰性颗粒和生物模拟物（如孢子）评估采样效率和微生物功效。原型机将集成一个干式旋风预过滤器，一个专有的浓缩器/采样器模块，一个新的密封外壳和颗粒提取/采样机制。原型机的目标性能包括：收集/浓缩效率为85%，干/湿取样效率为80%，微生物活力为75%。该产品的主要商业应用将是军事用途和国土防御。这种新型气溶胶颗粒收集器/采样器也将在各种民用/工业环境中监测有害生物气溶胶方面具有商业用途。一些应用领域包括监测：(1)在EPA超级基金站点附近的有害颗粒排放，(2)在移除和修复操作期间和之后空气中的石棉或含铅油漆颗粒，(3)在收集EPA室外空气质量合规数据时PM-2.5颗粒（即更换旧的PM-10采样器），(4)在农业喷洒操作期间除草剂和杀虫剂的传播，以及(5)传染病在医院，养老院等地的传播。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will determine the feasibility of integrating two established particle separation technologies with a continuous particle transfer mechanism to produce a bioaerosol concentrator/sampler that offers significant improvements over conventional sampling devices. Rapid biosensing/detection requires a concentrator/sampler that can (a) efficiently collect and concentrate respirable particles (1-10 mm) from large air volumes, (b) efficiently transfer collected particles (dry or wet) for sampling, (c) maintain high viability of sampled bioagents, and (d) be scaled up/down for various applications. The research plan consists of designing, fabricating and testing a novel prototype concentrator/sampler, evaluating particle collection/concentration performance, and evaluating sampling efficiency and microorganism efficacy using inert particles and biological simulates (e.g. spores). The prototype will integrate a dry cyclone prefilter, a proprietary concentrator/sampler module, a novel containment housing and particle extraction/sampling mechanisms. Target performance for the prototype includes: collection/concentration efficiency of 85%, dry/wet sampling efficiencies of 80%, and microorganism viability of 75%. The primary commercial application of this product will be for military use and homeland defense. This novel aerosol particle collector/sampler would also have commercial uses in the monitoring of hazardous bioaerosols in a variety of civilian/industrial environments. Some application areas include monitoring: (1) hazardous particulate emissions near EPA Super Fund sites, (2) airborne asbestos or lead paint particles during and after removal and remediation operations, (3) PM-2.5 particles (i.e., replacing older PM-10 samplers) when collecting EPA compliance data on outdoor air quality, (4) the spread of herbicides and pesticides during agricultural spraying operations, and (5) the spread of infectious diseases in hospitals, nursing homes, etc.