I-Corps: Venturi Vacuum Device for Biological and Particulate Sample Collection

I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是提高对高质量结果至关重要的行业的样本收集能力。目前，采收率低，无法从不同的环境中收集，没有标准化影响了这项活动。拟议的技术将改进样本采集系统，使采样更容易，可以收集的样本范围更大，并为法医科学行业收集证据的质量，预计到2025年将成为约400亿美元的行业。该解决方案将减少失败的测试，提高时间和资源的利用率，并提高解决案例的机会。这个I-Corps项目将探索一种基于文丘里的技术来产生真空。通过模块化设计，可以配备许多前端涂抹器，以允许一个手持设备收集多个样品。该设备重量轻，便携，可在现场部署，不需要电力。它使用压缩空气罐为文丘里泵提供动力。该设备可以收集微量的“触摸dna”证据，来自固体和多孔表面的颗粒，以及与受感染树木的农业疾病相关的病原体。这项技术将使专家能够更有效地收集样本，并实现新的样本收集和测试。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is to improve the capabilities of sample collection in industries where this step is critical to high quality results. Currently, poor recovery efficiencies, inability to collect from diverse environments, and no standardization affects this activity. The proposed technology will improve sample collection systems for better ease of sampling, an improved range of samples that can be collected, and the quality of evidence collected for the forensic science industry, expected to be a ~$40 B industry by 2025. The solution would lead to less failed testing, improved utilization of time and resources, and improved case-solving opportunities. This I-Corps project will explore a venturi-based technology to generate a vacuum. Through a modular design, many front-end applicators can be equipped to allow one handheld device to collect a number of samples. The device is lightweight, portable, field deployable and requires no electricity. It uses a compressed air tank to power the venturi pump. This device can collect trace amounts of “touch-DNA” evidence, particulates from solid and porous surfaces, and pathogens associated with agricultural disease in infected trees. This technology will allow experts to collect more efficiently samples and enable new sample collection and testing.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.