SBIR Phase I: Rydberg Fingerprint Spectroscopy for Sensitive Identification of Isomerically-Dependent Environmental Pollutants. Test Case: Dioxins

这个SBIR一期项目将开发一种光谱设备，用于检测和区分基于Rydberg光谱“指纹”的异构体化合物的同系物。它能够开发一种新的分析工具，用于检测二恶英，二恶英是由有机材料在氯存在下燃烧产生的环境污染物。二恶英在人体组织中积聚，导致长期的健康问题，包括癌症、糖尿病、子宫内膜异位症等。许多异构体的毒性尚不清楚，因为很难选择性地鉴定许多异构体形式的二恶英。目前的分析方法包括质谱（MS）或串联质谱技术。然而，前者不能识别单个异构体，而后者缺乏足够的灵敏度，达到低检测限。该项目的更广泛/商业影响将潜在地影响60亿美元的全球质谱仪市场，研究人员预计将占据其中的1%，即6000万美元。此外，在紧凑的形状因子中具有高灵敏度的异构体形式的区分将是多个科学领域的一种新的和受欢迎的能力，包括空气污染监测，毒理学和暴露评估。

This SBIR Phase I project will develop a spectroscopic device for detecting and discriminating congeners of isomeric compounds based on their Rydberg spectroscopic "fingerprints." It enables the development of a newanalytical tool for the detection of dioxins which are environmental contaminants that arise from combustion of organic materials in the presence of chlorine. Dioxins build up in human tissues, causing long-term health problems including cancer, diabetes, endometriosis and others. The toxicity of many isomers is unknown, as it is difficult to selectively identify many isomeric forms of dioxins. Current analytical methods involve mass spectrometry (MS), or tandem-MS techniques. However, the former cannot identify individual isomers, while the latter lacks sufficient sensitivity to reach low detection limits. The broader/commercial impact of the project will be to potentially impact the $6 billion worldwide market for mass spectrometers, of which the investigators expect to capture 1 percent, or $60 million. In addition, differentiation of isomeric forms with high sensitivity in a compact form-factor would be a new and welcome capability in multiple scientific fields, including air pollution monitoring, toxicology, and exposure assessment.