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

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是在这一步骤对高质量结果至关重要的行业中提高样本收集能力。目前，回收效率不高、无法从不同环境中收集数据以及没有标准化都会影响这一活动。拟议的技术将改善样本收集系统，以更容易采样，扩大可以收集的样本范围，并提高法医科学行业收集证据的质量，预计到2025年，法医科学行业将达到约400亿美元的行业。该解决方案将减少测试失败，提高时间和资源的利用率，并增加破案机会。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，可以配备多个前端施样器，允许一个手持设备采集多个样品。该设备重量轻、便携、可现场部署，而且不需要电力。它使用压缩空气罐为文丘里泵提供动力。这种设备可以收集微量的“触摸DNA”证据，固体和多孔表面的颗粒，以及与受感染树木的农业疾病有关的病原体。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NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.