SBIR Phase I: A Cell-based Wireless Sensor for Stand-off Detection of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段的研究项目涉及使用与电子电路集成的嗅觉神经元细胞，并与基于ZigBee技术的无线硬件接口，以实现远距离检测。最近对袋鼠进行的实验表明，它们高度敏感的嗅觉系统可以探测和识别简易爆炸装置散发的蒸汽。爆炸物的蒸汽分子与鼻子中嗅觉神经元细胞纤毛上的专门受体结合，引发传播到大脑的电反应。这种方法利用了嗅觉感觉神经元的敏感性和特异性，这是任何最先进的人造传感器技术所无法比拟的。高灵敏度的前端放大器电路制造在同一个硅芯片上，能够检测动作电位并放大电信号，以便通过ZigBee无线系统进行后续传输。美国军方迫切需要开发有效的简易爆炸装置探测系统，因为简易爆炸装置占美国在伊拉克伤亡人数的大多数。通过适当的修改，同样的技术可以用于运输敏感货物，如药品和武器，以及敏感资产的安全和保护。监测和保护工作和生活环境免受有害病原体的侵害是另一个市场。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I research project involves using olfactory neuron cells integrated with electronic circuits, and interfacing with a wireless hardware based on ZigBee technology for detection at a standoff distance. Recent experiments with pouched rats have demonstrated that their highly sensitive olfactory system can detect and recognize vapors diffusing from IEDs. The vapor molecules of the explosive bind to specialized receptors on the cilia of olfactory neuron cells in the nose, triggering an electrical response that propagates to the brain. This approach takes advantage of the sensitivity and specificity of olfactory sensory neurons, which are unequaled by any state-of-the-art human-made sensor technologies. High-sensitivity front-end amplifier circuits, fabricated on the same silicon die, are able to detect action potentials and amplify the electrical signals toward subsequent transmission through a ZigBee wireless system. There is urgent need on the part of the U.S. military to develop effective IED detection systems since IEDs account for the majority of U.S. casualties in Iraq. By modest alterations, the same technology can be used in the transportation of sensitive goods such as medicine and weapons as well as security and protection of sensitive assets. Monitoring and protecting working and living environments against harmful pathogens is another market.