Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Abstracts

Phase I

Polymer Web Sensing System
BUKSHPUN, LEONID

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Skin diseases resulting from occupational accidents are the most common non-trauma-related occupational illness. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, about 45,000 occupational illnesses in 1999 were skin diseases. Despite the protective chemical clothing (PCC) normally used to prevent skin contact with toxic chemicals, thousands of workers each year suffer from irritant contact dermatitis. To prevent injuries by warning workers before toxic chemicals break through PCC, a fast-responding chemical warning system is required. Development of a simple, wearable, low-cost (ideally disposable) microsensing distributed sensor system to warn workers before acids or other chemicals work their way through PCC will significantly benefit occupational safety. Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to design and develop a new wearable Polymer Web (POLYWEB) sensing system based on a flexible polymer waveguide web (PWW) and an interrogation module (IM). The PWW consists of a large number of acid sensitive polymer optical waveguides forming a network to monitor all areas of PCC. This optical network will detect chemical penetration even in hard to observe/inspect areas of PCC. Because the IM breaks up the spectrum of its broadband light source, it can independently monitor diverse parts of the PCC. The system warns a worker in the event of impending chemical breakthrough, preventing skin injury. In addition to individual PCC hazard warning, POLYWEB commercial applications will include failure notification in large-surface systems for containment of hazardous materials, and monitoring in the biotechnology industry. In Phase I POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed system by fabricating and testing a scaled-down prototype that will demonstrate detection and quantification of a reduced number of chemical compounds. The number of sensing elements/waveguides and the number of chemicals to be detected will be scaled up in an optimized Phase II prototype. The POLYWEB sensing system will respond in real time to a breach of toxic chemicals through protective clothing used in the workplace, to prevent direct contact with a worker's skin. The proposed system will significantly reduce skin diseases resulted from occupational accidents, estimated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to be about 50,000.

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Personal Cooling System Control Algorithm Development and System Optimization
DEMING, GLENN

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Aspen System's long-term objective is to develop, optimize, and commercialize a high performance personal cooling system designed to safely protect workers in military, government, commercial and industrial occupations from heat stress and heat-related illness and injury. The cooling system is based on a miniature rotary vapor compressor developed by Aspen. The compressor is integrated with custom refrigeration components into a small, lightweight, mobile man-mountable cooling system. In the Phase 1 program, Aspen will focus on the development and optimization of the cooling unit through development and testing of an advanced thermal control method. Through the implementation of an optimal thermal feedback and control algorithm the vapor-compression cooling unit performance can be improved for increased mission length, reduction in power consumption, and possible reductions in system size and weight. The use of an "intelligent" control algorithm which captures the physiological interaction of the user and cooling garment can lead to improvements in system operability and optimization of the amount of cooling provided feasibility of the most-promising control approach(es). The current program offers the potential for commercialization of a robust vapor-compression personal cooling solution targeted for use by industrial and commercial workers without the logistics burden of existing products. The successful development and fielding of this improved personal cooling product for heat stress prevention allows for greater acceptance and widespread use of personal cooling and directly leads to a reduction in occupational injuries related to heat stress while increasing worker well-being and productivity. The application is of particular benefit to industrial and commercial workers with occupations which routinely expose them to heat-related hazards (HAZMAT) cleanup, mine rescue, firefighters, etc).

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Know the Risks: Alcohol and Older Adults
DULL AKERS, DIANA

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of this SBIR Phase I project is to develop a computer-based alcohol use screening and education tool called Know the Risks: Alcohol and Older Adults. This user-friendly tool will assess alcohol use and provide educational content about the age-related risks of alcohol use and abuse to an under-identified and under-treated population: older adults. It is also designed to encourage greater health/service provider recognition of older adults as an at-risk population for alcohol use. The primary audience for the tool is older adults who are seeking care in medical, clinic, social and residential settings serving older adults. Designed for easy adaptation into these settings, the tool includes two components: (1) an audio-enhanced, automatic progressing alcohol-use screening instrument, including a custom printout offering score interpretation and learning activity recommendations; and (2) a multimedia Learning Center offering interactive educational activities concerning the age-related risks of alcohol use (e.g., lowered alcohol tolerance with age; interaction effects between alcohol and medications; medical and behavioral consequences of alcohol use; exacerbation of pre-existing medical conditions; and increased risks for accidents, falls and injuries). The self-administered tool is designed for easy adaptation in medical, clinic, social and residential settings serving older populations. In addition to educating older adults about age-related alcohol risks, the tool is designed to foster needed alcohol-risk prevention and treatment discussions between health/service providers and their older clients. Statement of Relevance to Public Health The proposed SBIR Phase 1 project, Know the Risks: Alcohol and Older Adults will result in the development of a computer based alcohol risk screening and prevention education tool designed specifically for older adults, an underserved, underestimated population. Designed to be used in diverse clinic settings, the tool offers users alcohol risk screening and learning resources and encourages patient/provider discussion of alcohol risk concerns.

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Low-Cost Personal Monitor for Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure
FAULL, JOHN D

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Small Business Innovation Research project addresses the development of a novel, low-cost monitor for organophosphate-based pesticide exposure. Organophosphate pesticides are highly toxic compounds used to control insect populations in a number of agricultural and landscaping applications. Workers are exposed to these chemicals during pesticide manufacture, transport, mixing, and application. Exposure can occur via three pathways: oral, dermal, and inhalation. The proposed monitor will measure vapor phase concentration. Selective chemiresistor microsensors for detecting organophosphate based pesticides (e.g., Terbufos and Diazinon) will be developed during Phase I. The response characteristics of prototype devices will be evaluated and optimized in the presence of these chemicals as well as water vapor and other gas- phase interferents commonly found in real-world environments. Detection limits, response time, sensor stability, and other key performance metrics will be determined. Phase I results will prove the feasibility of developing a stand-alone personal exposure monitor during Phase II. The personal monitor developed under this program will provide real-time detection of organophosphate pesticides. Cost-effective and accurate monitoring will allow workers to identify and avoid dangerous situations. Integrated data-logging capabilities will provide employers, regulators, and researchers with reliable exposure records.

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Fiberoptic Personal Exposure Monitor for Diisocyanates
LIS, STEVEN ANDREW

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): / Abstract Spray-on polyurethane coatings applied during auto body repair expose workers to potentially harmful levels of diisocyanates. Workers also commonly risk exposure to harmful vapors during the manufacture of molded polyurethane foam products. Diisocyanates have been identified as the major cause of occupational asthma. LightLine Technologies proposes to develop a highly sensitive fiberoptic personal monitoring device, similar to a sampling badge, targeted for the simple and convenient measurement of diisocyanate airborne exposure. A chemically reactive coating applied to the fiber will provide a direct integrated response to all diisocyanate vapors during exposure. This compact, battery powered device will monitor exposure in real-time and provide rapid, low cost, feedback to the user of unhealthy exposure levels that are recorded and reported via digital electronics. Humidity and temperature compensation will be integrated into the device so as to make exposure measurement more accurate. An explicit program goal is to make the device size and cost suitable for consistent use during typical auto body repairs and factory operation. A differentiating version of the fiber sensor will provide for a separate measurement of aromatic diisocyanate exposures. Diisocyanates are highly toxic, used worldwide, and produced on a very large scale for the production of polyurethane and related chemical products. Since most human exposure occurs as the chemical vapors are transported by air, an air sampling based method having high sensitivity is required. Current measurement methods fail to provide adequate sensing of all diisocyanate species simultaneously. The anticipated results of the SBIR program will be to: 1) Determine an optical fiber based sensor fabrication process, use procedure, and real-time readout process that provides high sensitivity and high confidence evaluation of diisocyanate vapor species in air. 2) Design, build and test a prototype personal exposure sensor and readout package that accurately provides sensing capabilities for human exposure determination in industrial environments.

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Development of EMT backboard transport system
LIVINGSTON, TROY W

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Significant and costly, musculoskeletal injuries are the most frequent type of injury among firefighter/paramedics and emergency medical technicians, typically incurred while transporting patients during EMS operations. Patients' conditions often require that they be transported on backboards that require the EMS workers to lift and carry the patient, placing the workers at risk for back injuries as they encounter heavy loads, twisting, and bending. The transport often involves carrying patients down and up stairs that are narrow and winding. This application addresses NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) priority area of low back disorders to public sector workers. The proposed study builds on a recently completed NIOSH R01 research grant awarded to Drs. Conrad, Reichelt, and Lavender (consultants on the SBIR) in which a lab prototype of an EMS patient- handling device that attaches to a backboard was developed. This laboratory prototype device shows biomechanical promise. However, the current design concept has several limitations that require further engineering that will be addressed in the proposed SBIR grant. The long-term goal of this project is to prevent musculoskeletal injuries among EMS personnel transporting patients secured to a backboard over level and sloped ground and up and down stairs. In pursuit of this long-term objective, this application focuses on the development of a novel device that significantly reduces the physical demands on EMS workers when transporting such patients. The device, called the Backboard Transporter, will attach to standard backboards and enables patients to be transported using an advanced track system rather than being carried. The purpose of this SBIR application is to engage in a prototype refinement and construction process of the Backboard Transporter concept so that it can ultimately be developed into a commercially viable product. The specific aims are: 1) To determine the optimum track design for providing secure stair engagement without slippage; 2) To develop a foot pedal mechanism capable of propelling the loaded Backboard Transporter during stair ascent; 3) To design a frame for the Backboard Transporter that meets the strength, weight, and physical mounting requirements for the tracks, handles, lift system, and backboard mounting; 4) To develop an efficient backboard securing system; 5) To design the Transporter mechanical components to maintain a safe center of gravity for all transport inclinations; 6) Configuration of the functional backboard transporter to fold to fit into limited ambulance space. The engineering research methods described in the application include constructing a test staircase and test platform to accurately quantify the measurements required to complete the aims. The milestones by which to evaluate the attainment of the specific aims are clearly articulated

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Feasibility of eliminating propeller injury through adaptation of military pump jets
MARTINO, JOHN D

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): SBIR Project - Phase 1: The feasibility of modular adaptors for Pump Jet propulsion systems. The objective of this feasibility is to determine if a family of adaptor modules can be created to enable the Pump Jet propulsion system to be attached to the majority of commercially manufactured outboard motors in the US. The Pump Jet is a safe and highly efficient axial bypass flow pump propulsion system developed for the military to eliminate the possibility of propeller strike with people and the environment. It attaches to the drive shaft of an outboard motor. Unfortunately the outboard motors used by the military represent only about 2% of those currently available to civilian boaters. Differing manufacturer's specifications prevent Pump Jets from being readily attached to most outboard motors. To date, safer, cost effective alternatives to traditional unprotected propellers have not been available for the majority of recreational boats in use. Widespread use of the Pump Jet would dramatically reduce deaths and injuries due to propeller strike on recreational and commercial boats. Researchers will use combination of field surveys, published component specifications, and measurement of motor components for 98% of commercial outboards on the market to compile a comprehensive database of relevant component specifications. These will be analyzed to identify specification groups and determine the feasibility of creating a 'family' of adaptor modules that will enable Pumps Jets to be easily and cost effectively fitted to the majority of outboard motors in use in the US today. PROJECT SUMMARY SBIR Project - Phase 1: The feasibility of modular adaptors for Pump Jet propulsion systems. Between 60 and 100 people are killed by motorboat propeller strikes each year in the United States. Another 600 to 700 are horribly maimed and scarred for life as a result of outboard motor boat propeller strikes. This project will determine if a family of adaptor modules can be created to enable use of a safe alternative to motor boat propellers where no moving parts are exposed to the user.

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Promoting Health During Pregnancy: A Multiple Behavior Expert System Intervention
MAURIELLO, LEANNE MARIE

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Low birthweight and preterm birth are unfavorable birth outcomes that translate into serious and costly health issues, including infant morbidity and infant mortality. Research demonstrates that the health behaviors of pregnant women are associated with not only birth outcomes, but also the future health of the child. The goal of this research is to develop an effective, population-based, tailored intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model to promote the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors among underserved pregnant women. Multiple behavior changes will be addressed through individually tailored interventions for smoking cessation, stress management and fruit and vegetable consumption. The intervention content will teach and guide women through strategies for making behavior changes during pregnancy, with an emphasis on maintenance into the postpartum period. Multiple levels of formative research will be incorporated in this Phase I study. Expert consultants will offer guidance on the design of the intervention and will conduct a formal review of the pilot prototype. Pregnant women will participate in focus groups, usability interviews, and a pilot test of the intervention prototype. Assessing channels for disseminating the proposed intervention will be incorporated throughout the Phase 1 study. This proposal offers innovative features that hold great promise for an effective intervention strategy, considerable commercial potential, and significant benefits for populations of pregnant women and infants.

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Workplace Violence Training for Nurses
MCELANEY, LISA A

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Research has shown that nurses are at very high risk of being victims of workplace violence. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) issued a "Position Paper" in 1999 emphasizing the inclusion of violence-related content as "essential" content in nursing curricula yet training remains incidental. The American Nurses Association (ANA), the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) as well as health care labor unions have called for increased intervention effectiveness research. Workplace Violence Training for Nurses is an intensive web-based training to help registered nurses understand, assess, prevent, and respond to violence in the workplace. The self-paced training will make extensive use of video to share expert opinions, victims' experiences, provide video case studies, and behavior modeling. Pre- and post-tests for each training module will help track learning. Continuing education credits will be awarded to program graduates. An optional train-the-trainers module will be available for nurses who want to train others. A trainer’s toolkit will support the training efforts of those nurses who have completed the Trainer's module to help them conduct in-service workshops on workplace violence. Drawing from video elements of the web-based core curriculum, the toolkit will consist of a short introductory DVD providing an overview of hospital based workplace violence and featuring interviews with experts in, and nurse victims of, workplace violence. A second DVD will contain a selection of video case studies and examples from the website for viewing and discussion. Also included will be a workshop leader's guide and learning assessment tools. Nurses that graduate from these workshops will be invited to complete the full web-based training for continuing education credits. In Phase I, the producers will develop the curriculum and produce a functional prototype of one module of the web training, which will then be evaluated using focus groups representative of the target audiences. Evaluators will use well-documented qualitative techniques to analyze focus group data. This project will advance the knowledge and training of hospital-based nurses about workplace violence. Additionally, it will provide the opportunity to gather more data on the prevalence of hospital workplace violence and its antecedents. Finally, it has the potential for longitudinal surveys of nurses who have taken the training to determine its long-term effectiveness.

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Advanced Personal Gas Detectors for Mining Applications
ROUTKEVITCH, DMITRI

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The risk of explosions in underground mines due to the presence of combustible gases is severe. The overall long-term objective of the proposed project is to develop and commercialize a new generation of affordable, reliable and portable hazardous gas detector in a "smart card" format for use as a personal safety tool. The development of such an easy to use and wear personal monitor for the detection of combustible gases (e.g. methane) would be a substantial benefit to worker health and safety. Specific goal of the Phase I project is to develop a critical element of such monitor, namely low power, high performance reliable gas microsensor for detection of combustible gases in mining environments. Combustible gas sensors available on the market today typically involve catalytic beads (pellistors), or in the case of permanent installations, also infrared (IR) sensor technology. These are not suitable for personal monitoring due either bulk and cost (IR) or high power consumption (catalytic bead). Additionally, the stability and reliability of existing combustible gas sensors need to be improved in order to enable fail-safe operation. Synkera proposes the development of a new and improved catalytic combustible gas microsensors based on a new microsensor platform technology, integrating precision-engineered nanostructured sensing elements with high surface area into a robust monolithic ceramic platform. In order to achieve the project objectives, in Phase I Synkera will (1) select microsensor design to achieve low power required by "smart card" format; (2) produce sensor substrates with varied nanoscale morphology; (2) develop catalyst formulations; (3) evaluate and develop an understanding of the effect of substrate morphology, catalyst formulation and operating mode on the sensor performance and stability; and (5) produce prototype low power sensors and demonstrate their potential in achieving performance required for portable gas monitors. The proposed combustible gas microsensors will have strong benefits in high sensitivity and selectivity, low power consumption, chemical and mechanical stability, and fast response. This Phase I project will lay the foundation for the development of inexpensive, user friendly, ultra- portable and robust personal gas monitors. The mining industry is one of the more challenging occupational sectors that involve adverse workers conditions, including the presence of hazardous and combustible gases. Current gas monitoring is accomplished via both fixed systems and portable instruments; however, the size and cost of current portable instruments has been a barrier to their use by all mining employees. Proposed sensor will support a new type of dramatically improved and inexpensive portable combustible gas monitors for individual use, thus enabling a new approach to alleviating intrinsic hazards of this occupation.

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Improving Safety For Miners By Providing A Wireless Real Time Locating System
SCHANTZ, HANS GREGORY

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Mining is as dangerous as it is critical to our nation's economic well-being. The proposed research aims to significantly enhance workplace safety for miners by providing a real time wireless tracking and monitoring system (TAMS). A TAMS device will be worn by each miner and will provide both the miner's location and monitor real-time exposure to environmental hazards. The resulting location data will be critical in guiding rescue efforts in case of emergency, and will allow detained workflow analysis in a mine environment to improve the safety of operations. The resulting environmental data will provide both an instantaneous and cumulative measure of miners' exposure to environmental hazards. By fusing the two data sets, an unprecedented level of detailed information will be available on both the nature and location of environmental threats in the mine environment. The long term objective of the proposed research is a dramatic improvement in workplace safety for miners. The specific aim is to establish the feasibility of a wireless tracking technology suitable for use in a mine environment. The key to successful TAMS is an effective wireless tracking technology that can cope with the difficult propagation environment in mines. The proposed research will investigate using a breakthrough wireless tracking technology: near field electromagnetic ranging or "NFER". Through a combination of theoretical analysis and real world radio measurements in an abandoned mine, the proposed research aims to establish the feasibility of the TAMS concept. Further, the proposed effort includes a proof-of-concept demonstration to rigorously validate a preliminary design for the system.

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Matching Assistive Technology and Child (MATCH)
SCHERER, MARCIA J.

The lack of AT provision is often associated with a concomitant loss of educational performance and achievement, independence, safety (e.g., emergency preparedness and response), help-seeking, health, and participation in social and recreational aspects of education and community life. The goal of this research is to help get more appropriate AT to the students who can benefit from them and to develop assessment measures that are compatible with the World Health Organization's International Classification of Function, Disability and Health for Children and Youth. There are four aims in this project: (1) Determine the structure, content and format of the Matching Assistive Technology and CHild (MATCH) assessment process and measures for children/youth with disabilities in the educational setting (and their families); (2) Determine the structure, content and format of the Matching Assistive Technology and CHild (MATCH) assessment process and forms for educational professionals of students with disabilities that will offer comparisons of perspectives among student/family and educational professionals; (3) Develop content for computerized scoring interpretations of the new assessments and (4) Develop content for an interactive training program designed to address the AT educational needs of education professionals. The Phase I methodology involves (a) recruiting professional experts to assist in the development of the content of the materials, (b) obtaining professional, student and family feedback on the process of completing pre-prototype versions of the new MATCH materials, (c) developing pre-prototype computerized interpretations of the results, and (d) developing a content outline for an interactive training program for education professionals in AT regarding the assessment and matching of students with appropriate AT. At the conclusion of Phase I, the project will have produced pre-prototype versions of the MATCH measures and computerized scoring interpretations, as well as a content outline for the interactive training program, for further development, testing and validation in Phase II. Relevance to Public Health Without adequate support and education, students with disabilities may experience loss of independence, safety (e.g., emergency preparedness and response), help-seeking skills, proactive health behaviors, and participation in postsecondary education, work, and community life. The goal of this research is to help get more support to these students in the form of appropriate, individually-selected assistive technologies (AT). Materials to achieve this goal will be developed for students, education professionals in K-12, family members and rehabilitation professionals.

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Easy-To-Use Electric Lower Anchor Tether Winch for Child Car Seats
SEIFERT, SARA

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Child restraints provide increased protection for children in motor vehicles and have been observed to reduce death and injury rates by more than 50%. A child must be properly belted into a properly installed child restraint to achieve maximum protection. Several large studies have observed that only 10% to 20% of children are correctly harnessed into correctly installed seats. One of the most common errors involves the installation of the child seat in the vehicle. In most vehicles manufactured prior to 2002, a child seat is attached using the vehicle safety belts. In vehicles newer than 2002, a child seat may be attached using the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system. LATCH is designed to make installation of child safety seats easier by providing two lower anchors at the seat bight (the intersection of the seat back and cushion) onto which a rigid or flexible strap from a child seat is attached. Regardless of attachment modality, the seatbelt or flexible LATCH tether must be aggressively tensioned (greater than 30 lbs. typically) to achieve proper installation. Recent studies have observed from 50% to 100% of inspected child restraints held in place by safety belts were too loose. Problems with loose tethers persist in the new LATCH system, and several sources list under-tensioned belts and tethers as the most common error in child seat installations. Loose child seat tethers increase the likelihood of movement of the child's head during collisions, increasing the likelihood of head impact and other traumas. The objective of this project is to develop an inexpensive power-retractable flexible lower anchor child seat tether. This powered tether will reduce the physical strength and agility required to properly install a child seat. We hypothesize that a powered tether will increased proper child seat installation rates, thereby reducing motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths among children. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The available market for the proposed powered tether exceeds 5 million devices annually. There are approximately 20 million children under 4 years of age in the United States. All are required by law to ride in car seats.

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Cooling Suit for First Responders
SRINIVAS, GIRISH

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): When responding to a chemical spill or other hazardous cleanup operation, first responders must frequently wear a level A hazardous materials suit. These suits protect the first responder from chemical exposure by completely sealing the wearer against external vapors and liquids. Because the suits are sealed, a fresh air supply is required which is typically provided by a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). In total, the SCBA/impermeable suit provides contaminant free air and a barrier to the chemical hazard. Unfortunately, because the suits are sealed, they quickly get very hot and humid. Given the fact that a first responder can be in the suit from 30-60 min, overheating is not just a source of discomfort, but is a real hazard to the health of the first responder. In addition, perspiration condenses on the inside of the faceplate obscuring vision, and the heat/humidity buildup in the suit severely limits the time that can be spent in the suit without risking heat exhaustion. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a lightweight, portable system that will both cool and dehumidify the air circulated through a hazmat suit. TDA will use a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the inside of the suit to the dirty environment, but keeps the clean and contaminated air streams separate. The dry (about 15% RH) clean air is cooled to about 770F and returned to the first responder. The cool, dry air is distributed to the hands, head, and feet within the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with a lightweight fabric, internal duct system. In the Phase I project, we will design and build a test heat exchanger to demonstrate our concept. In addition, we will perform a system analysis using a 2D software and a finite element analysis. The design analysis will form the basis of the prototype fabrication in the Phase II project. 

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Dinners-to-Go, A Meal Assembly Service for Low-Income Working Mothers
STUCKEY, BARBARA E

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Dinners-to-Go, A Meal Assembly Service for Low-Income Working Mothers Reliance on fast food and convenience food is a relatively inexpensive way for working mothers to save time shopping, preparing meals, and cleaning up. However, it also contributes to higher calorie intake and lower consumption of fruits and vegetables. This problem is especially pronounced among low-wage working families who may be especially dependent upon fast food to solve the time crunch faced by the 70% of women with children who work. This SBIR Phase I proposal will investigate the proof of concept for Dinners-to-Go, a meal assembly business designed for families making less than $50,000 annually and who live in urban areas. Meal assembly is one of the fastest growing sectors of the food industry, but is targeting upper income families in suburban areas. The nearly 700 businesses provide a central location where people can assemble 12 or more family meals. Customers freeze the meals at home to serve later, which saves time in meal preparation and clean-up. They pay between $3.75-$5.00 per serving, and entrees tend to be lower in calories than a restaurant entree. Phase I objectives include 1) Conduct consumer research to validate the appeal of the meal assembly business model among a lower-income clientele; 2) Develop and test a menu of 30-40 dinner recipes appealing to the market segment identified in the Aim 1 research; and, 3) Draft a start-up business plan for a meal assembly business. Phase II will establish a meal assembly business in order to test the impact of Dinners- to-Go among families with an income of less than $50,000. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test will measure changes in fruit and vegetable consumption, total calorie intake, use of fast food, nutrition knowledge, and satisfaction with the meals. It will also test the financial viability of the concept. If Phase II is successful, Phase III will expand Dinners-to-Go in new locations through franchise arrangements. The expansion of Dinners-to-Go stores will provide lower income working mothers and their families better access to lower calorie meals with more servings of vegetables.

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Formaldehyde Sensor for Environmental and Industrial Monitoring
TRIMBOLI, JOSEPH A

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Formaldehyde is among the 25 most abundantly produced chemicals in the world and is used in a variety of manufacturing processes. There are serious health risks in utilizing formaldehyde, however, as it is a suspected human carcinogen that causes severe irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. Unfortunately, current detection methods are inadequate because they require bulky, expensive equipment or off-site spectrochemical analysis. To address these issues, this SBIR proposal describes the development of a small, inexpensive sensor for measuring the concentration of formaldehyde in real-time. The proposed approach will involve selective preconcentration of formaldehyde from the atmosphere into a thin polymer film. The characteristic infrared (IR) absorptions of formaldehyde will be used for selective detection at very low concentrations (between 0.05 and 20 ppm), which encompass both the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 0.75 ppm and short-term exposure limit of 2 ppm. Technical aims of the project include the synthesis and characterization of the polymer sorbent layer in addition to the characterization of sensor performance in the presence of formaldehyde vapor. The proposed approach is specifically designed to protect the 2 million workers who encounter this gas on a regular basis in the chemical industry. Furthermore, the sensor platform can be readily adapted for indoor air quality or environmental monitoring applications as well.

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