Novel middle infrared quantum cascade laser for an in-vehicle alcohol interlock system

每年，美国和加拿大的道路上都会有数万人因酒后驾车而死亡[1]。2007年，有近13，000人死于涉及受损驾驶员的车祸，占当年美国交通死亡总数的32%[2]。在加拿大，2011年警方报告了90，277起受损驾驶事件，为十年来的最高点[3]。最近，人们非常关注开发可能减少酒精受损驾驶的技术设备。其中一项战略包括努力增加对DWI（醉酒驾驶）罪犯车辆的现有呼吸酒精联锁装置的应用，这要求司机在启动车辆之前提供呼吸样本。研究表明，这种方法可以减少大约三分之二的累犯[4]。然而，大多数酒精受损的司机没有被判DWI。研究正在转向开发先进的车载技术，可以无创地测量驾驶员血液酒精浓度，并可以引入全球乘用车市场。在这个项目中，我们将与酒精对策系统公司（ACS）密切合作，开发一种新型的中红外量子级联激光器，可用作基于ACS红外光谱的酒精检测系统的定制和高效光源。这些系统可用作车辆中的非接触式酒精联锁装置。这个合作研究项目将建立滑铁卢大学和ACS（一家位于密西沙加的公司）之间的第一个和潜在的长期联系。该项目将为研究生提供一个极好的机会，获得光学元件，酒精监测技术和车载技术的实践经验。这些新技术的开发和实施将有助于ACS和加拿大在这个不断增长的利基市场中建立领导地位，并促进全球驾驶员的安全。

Every year, alcohol-impaired driving contributes to tens of thousands of deaths on U.S. and Canadian roads [1]. In 2007, almost 13,000 deaths occurred in crashes involving imparied drivers, representing 32 percent of total traffic fatalities in the U.S. that year [2]. In Canada, police reported 90,277 impaired driving incidents in 2011, the highest point in a decade [3]. Significant attention has recently been paid to developing technological devices that may reduce alcohol-impaired driving. One strategy includes efforts to increase the application of current breath alcohol interlocks on the vehicles of DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) offenders, which requires drivers to provide breath samples before starting their vehicles. Studies indicate this method can reduce recidivism by about two-thirds [4]. However, most alcohol-impaired drivers have not been convicted of DWI. Research is shifting towards development of advanced in-vehicle technologies that can measure driver blood alcohol concentration non-invasively and can be introduced into the global passenger vehicle market. In this project, we will work closely with Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp. (ACS) to develop a novel middle-infrared quantum cascade laser that can be used as a customized and efficient light source for ACS infrared-spectroscopy based alcohol detection system. These systems may be used as non-contact alcohol interlocks in vehicles. This collaborative research project will establish a first and potentially long-term linkage between the University of Waterloo and ACS - a Mississauga-based company. This project will provide an excellent opportunity for graduate students to gain hands-on experience with optical components, alcohol monitoring technologies and in-vehicle technologies. Development and implementation of these novel technologies will help establish a leadership position for ACS and Canada within this growing niche market and promote safety of drivers world-wide.