SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION
PROJECT SUMMARY
Proposal Number:
Project Title:
STERILITY ASSESSMENT OF WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Technical Abstract:
Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) can sometimes be used as a
diagnostic device in biology and medicine. In general, LIF has
difficulties in relating the flourescence spectra to the
concentration of the emitters within the tissue, in identifying
different species, and in the possibility of destroying the molecules
being probed if the wrong excitation wavelength is chosen.
Many of the problems associated with flourescence can be eliminated
by the use of Raman scattering. Raman techniques allow the
measurement of multiple species even in aqueous solutions (not
accessible by infra-red methods because of water absorption).
However, spontaneous Raman techniques give very weak signals. Signal
enhancement is possible by utilizing resonance Raman techniques.
Both of these methods still suffer from the fact that spatial and, to
some extent, temporal information is lost.
The research in this proposal is intended to investigate a
non-invasive, real-time, high resolution device for the detection of
molecules that are produced by lifeforms during metabollic activity.
This unique device is based on a variant of stimulated Raman
scattering and can simultaneously measure the concentrations and
temporal evolution of several different molecular species.
Potential Commercial Applications:
The method proposed here can be used for the continuous measurement
of several molecular concentrations in small samples. Therefore it
may have applications in the medical field (virus and cholesterol
measurements), in drug manufacturing and monitoring, and blood gas
analysis. Furthermore, it may find applications in environment
related monitoring and analysis.
Name and Address of Offeror:
MAINE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CO, INC.
P.O. Box 397266
Cambridge, MA 02139
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) &
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Programs
Electronic Management System (EMS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
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Hu, Hughes STX.
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Updated: Feb. 7, 1996