PFI-TT: A reliable, fast and low-cost field test for hemp

这一创新-技术转化伙伴关系(PFI-TT)项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是开发一种可靠的现场化学测试，可以轻松快速地区分现场的大麻和大麻植物。小型化的测试平台提高了灵敏度和有效性。这项技术解决了快速有效地区分植物的需要，供执法、监管机构以及大麻种植行业使用。这一PFI-TT项目将加速一种可行的解决方案的商业化进程，该解决方案将与现有技术竞争，并纳入工程专业知识，以解决快速测试试剂盒商业化的规模挑战。拟议的项目寻求使用聚合物涂层玻璃纤维衬底和强大的化学反应来提供微型化的反应结果。快速检测试剂盒商业化的主要技术挑战是开发一种可在工业上针对不同细分市场进行扩展的原型。为了应对技术挑战，该团队将与行业合作伙伴一起验证原型套件，并标准化一个在商业上可行并可满足各种细分市场的通用平台。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 Partnerships for Innovation - Technology Translation (PFI-TT) project is to develop a reliable chemical field test that can easily and quickly differentiate between hemp and marijuana plants in the field. A miniaturized testing platform results in improved sensitivity and effectiveness. This technology addresses a need to differentiate plants quickly and effectively for use by law enforcement, regulatory bodies, and also by the hemp growing industry. This PFI-TT project will accelerate the commercialization of a viable solution that will compete favorably with an existing technology and incorporate engineering expertise to address the scaling challenges to commercialize the rapid test kit.The proposed project seeks to use a polymer-coated fiberglass substrate and a robust chemical reaction to provide miniaturized reaction results. The major technical challenge in the commercialization of the rapid test kit is the development of a prototype that can be industrially scalable for various market segments. In order to address the technical challenges, the team will validate the prototype kit with industry partners and standardize a versatile platform that is commercially viable and that can address various market segments.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.