SBIR Phase I: Personal Safety Monitor - Low Cost Carbon Monoxide Detection with Nanotube Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems Device

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将扩大碳纳米管晶体管的适用性领域，并提供急需的安全改进工具。拟议的工作将解决与一氧化碳检测有关的可行性问题。 需要进行创新研究：（1）开发制造特定传感器所需的识别层;（2）将基于碳纳米管的平台集成到MEMS上。对于第一点，将在纳米管器件上沉积几个不同的CO特异性识别层。这些将测试其在不同温度和湿度条件下对CO的特定响应以及对交叉反应物的响应。在设备表征和确定最佳工作温度之后，第一阶段的最终产品将是双重的，（1）用于CO检测的工作实验室原型;以及（2）功能MEMS的100 mm晶圆。已确定有必要监测消防员接触一氧化碳的情况，因为他们在现场经常会遇到有毒物质，这种情况会严重损害他们的身体和智力能力，从而使他们的生命处于危险之中。所提出的低成本设备可以很容易地集成和计算血液中一氧化碳的积累，当达到最大允许暴露量时触发警报。 此外，该设备将把这些信息存储到一个集成的存储器中，为每个消防员建立一个档案。 其他人群已经确定，可以显着受益于个人一氧化碳监测。 因此，这方面未得到满足的需求总数约为140万人。不幸的是，个人安全和第一反应市场的价格敏感性迄今为止阻止了在现场广泛应用个人一氧化碳监测，迫使人们冒着巨大的风险来履行职责。拟议的设备将提供一个解决方案，提供昂贵技术的技术能力，同时保留易用性和大多数原油，比色选项的价格考虑。该产品的低价格目标对市政当局和消防部门的预算非常有吸引力。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will expand the field of carbon nanotube transistors applicability and provide a much needed safety improvement tool. The proposed work will address the feasibility issues associated with the detection of carbon monoxide. Innovative research is required (1) in the development of recognition layers required to make a specific sensor; and (2) in the integration of carbon nanotube based platform onto a MEMS. For this first point, several different specific recognition layers for CO will be deposited on the nanotube device. These will be tested for their specific response to CO in varying temperature and humidity conditions as well as against cross reactants. Following device characterization and determination of the optimal working temperature, the end product of Phase I will be twofold, with (1) a working lab prototype for CO detection; and, (2) a 100mm wafer of functional MEMS. There is an identified need to monitor firefighters' exposure to CO, as they regularly encounter the poison when in the field, a situation that can significantly impaired their capacities, both physical and intellectual, therefore putting their life at risk. The proposed low cost device could easily integrate and calculate the built up of carbon monoxide in the blood, triggering an alarm when maximum permissible exposure is reached. In addition, the device would store this information into an integrated memory to build a profile for each individual firefighter. Other population have been identified that could significantly benefit from personal carbon monoxide monitoring. The total unmet need here is therefore in the order of 1.4 million people. Unfortunately, the price sensitivity of the personal safety and first response market has thus far prevented the application of widespread individual monitoring of carbon monoxide in the field, forcing people to take significant risks to achieve their duty. The proposed device will provide a solution that offers the technical aptitude of expensive technologies while retaining the ease of use and price consideration of most crude, colorimetric options. The low price target of the product is very attractive to the budgets of municipalities and fire departments.