NSF Award
0349687
0349687<br/>Farquharson<br/><br/><br/><br/>This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will develop two prototype anthrax detector systems designed to screen mail entering a postal facility and/or to identify and to stop distribution of anthrax containing mail as it passes through a sorter. These systems will be able to detect 2 micrograms of spores captured from a letter containing as little as 100 micrograms, as well as similar concentrations on contaminated surfaces. The Phase I project demonstrated feasibility by successfully developing a vacuum/filter collection system that captured Bacillus cereus spores from an envelope passing through a mail sorter, which were detected by Raman spectroscopy. Some 23 micrograms of B. cereus spores were measured in 9 seconds using 1064 nm excitation, with an estimated limit of detection of 10 micrograms or 1 million spores in 10 seconds. The Phase II project will complete the design of the anthrax detector system, with improved sensitivity nd selectivity. <br/><br/>The broader impact of this project will be on the safety and security of mail handling and delivery across the United States.
