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

这项研究通过开发创新的，具有成本效益的便携式阿片类生物传感器来解决阿片类药物危机的紧迫公共卫生挑战。该跨学科团队由来自学术界、行业、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其提供即时，准确的阿片类药物检测和监测的潜力，这对于有效执法，精确的药物和治疗以及环境监测至关重要。这项技术符合NSF的使命，有助于科学的进步，促进国民健康，提高公共福利。这一举措的更广泛影响包括提高公众对阿片类药物风险的认识，促进科学和技术教育机会，以及培养熟练的劳动力。该项目旨在实现阿片类药物危机管理的范式转变，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，并为有效的政策制定提供信息。此外，它还满足社会需求，包括促进关于阿片类药物风险的公共教育，并促进技术和科学劳动力的发展。该项目的核心是创建一种新型阿片类生物传感器技术，名为iM-Dr（分子间相互作用使能的检测识别），提供高灵敏度，选择性和多功能性等进步。正在开发各种形式的生物传感器，包括手持式探头、测试条和可穿戴贴片，以满足不同的应用。该项目结合了尖端的传感器材料、人工智能集成和全面的社会影响研究。该项目还旨在扩大规模，以确保广泛的无障碍环境和融入社会的不同部门。预期结果是大幅减少阿片类药物相关事件和死亡，提高公众意识，并加强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NSF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.