ACT/SGER: Portable, Reusable Array Piezoelectric Microcantilever Sensors for Chemical Terrorism Agent Detection

Drexel University, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Abstract

This project will develop portable, reusable array piezoelectric microcantilever sensors (PEMS) for rapid, accurate, and direct quantification of chemical terrorism agent (CTA) using electrical means. The proposed PEMS 100 micrometers in length with an oxide adsorbent selective to a target CTA will quantify the presence of the CTA with femtogram sensitivity and reusability. To reduce false alarms, multiple PEMS, each with a different and selective oxide adsorbent, will simultaneously detect and quantify a target CTA. The ultrahigh sensitivity of the proposed sensors and the multiple PEMS with different selectivities provides for a robust sensor with fewer false responses. This award is supported jointly by the NSF and the Intelligence Community. The Approaches to Combat Terrorism Program in the Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences supports new concepts in basic research and workforce development with the potential to contribute to national security.