NSF Convergence Accelerator Track L: An Integrated and Miniaturized Opioid Sensor System: Advancing Evidence-Based Strategies for Addressing the Opioid Crisis

本研究通过开发创新、具有成本效益的便携式阿片类生物传感器，解决了阿片类药物危机带来的紧迫公共卫生挑战。该跨学科团队由来自学术界、工业界、医疗保健和政府的专家组成，旨在提供现实世界的解决方案，以对抗阿片类药物的流行。该项目的重要性在于它有可能提供即时、准确的阿片类药物检测和监测，这对有效执法、精准医疗和环境监测至关重要。这项技术与美国国家科学基金会的使命一致，即促进科学进步，促进国民健康，增强公共福利。这一倡议的更广泛影响包括提高公众对阿片类药物风险的认识，促进科学和技术方面的教育机会，以及发展熟练的劳动力队伍。该项目旨在推动阿片类药物危机管理模式的转变，提供切实可行的解决方案，减少阿片类药物滥用，加强公共安全，并为有效的决策提供信息。此外，它还解决社会需求，包括促进关于阿片类药物风险的公众教育和促进技术和科学劳动力发展。该项目的重点是创建一种新型阿片类生物传感器技术，名为iM-Dr (inter-Molecular Interaction-enabled Detective Recognition)，具有高灵敏度、选择性和多功能性等优点。各种形式的生物传感器，包括手持探针、测试条和可穿戴贴片，正在开发以满足不同的应用。该项目结合了尖端传感器材料、人工智能集成和全面的社会影响研究。该项目还旨在实现可扩展性，以确保广泛的可达性并融入社会的不同部门。预期的结果是与阿片类药物有关的事件和死亡大幅减少，公众认识得到提高，并加强了解决阿片类药物危机的研究和政策制定框架。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。

This research addresses the pressing public health challenge of the opioid crisis through the development of innovative, cost-efficient, portable opioid biosensors. The interdisciplinary team, comprising experts from academia, industries, healthcare, and governments, aims to deliver real-world solutions to combat the opioid epidemic. The project's importance lies in its potential to provide immediate, accurate opioid detection and monitoring, which is crucial for effective law enforcement, precise medicine and treatment, and environmental monitoring. This technology aligns with NSF's mission by contributing to the advancement of science, promoting national health, and enhancing public welfare. The broader impacts of this initiative include raising public awareness about opioid risks, fostering educational opportunities in science and technology, and developing a skilled workforce. The project aims to create a paradigm shift in opioid crisis management, offering tangible solutions that can reduce opioid misuse, enhance public safety, and inform effective policy-making. Additionally, it addresses societal needs, including promoting public education on opioid risks and fostering technological and scientific workforce development. The project centers on the creation of a novel opioid biosensor technology, named iM-Dr (inter-Molecular Interaction-enabled Detective Recognition), offering advancements such as high sensitivity, selectivity and versatility. Various forms of biosensors, including handheld probes, test strips, and wearable patches, are being developed to cater to diverse applications. The project incorporates cutting-edge sensor materials, artificial intelligence integration, and comprehensive social impact studies. The project also aims for scalability to ensure widespread accessibility and integration into different sectors of society. The expected outcome is a significant reduction in opioid-related incidents and deaths, an increase in public awareness, and an enhanced framework for research and policy development addressing the opioid crisis.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.