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                            Funding & Awards
 Low-cost Handheld Spectrometer and Cloud-Based Data Analysis for Improved Identification of Substances of Abuse
Note:
              This awardee has received supplemental funding. This award detail page includes information about both the original award and supplemental awards.
Award Information
Awardee
              University of Central Florida
Award #
              2015-R2-CX-0035
Funding Category
              Continuation
Location
                    Orlando, FL
Awardee County
              Orange
Congressional District
              7
Status
              Closed
Funding First Awarded
              2015
Total funding (to date)
              $100,000
Original Solicitation
              NIJ FY 15 Graduate Research Fellowship Program in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2015, $50,000)
As submitted by the applicant: A sensitive, rapid, high-sensitivity and low cost method for detecting substances of abuse has been developed.  Through the implementation of new fluorescent indicators and a smart phone capable analysis system we have produced an analysis system that not only identifies target compounds with enhanced specificity, but preserves the chain of evidence. These new fluorescent indicators are based on low cost metal complexes and allow greater detection sensitivity and flexibility.  These indicators are shelf stable and the complexes formed can be stored for long periods of time without loss of fluorescence.  The fluorescence observed in these complexes is due to the nature of the metal and metal-analyte bonds present in the complex.  This is a well understood phenomena and will stand up to Daubert challenges.  By leveraging 3d printing technology with these new fluorescent indicators, and smart phone technology, we have developed a spectrometer that can be used with the camera of a smart phone for the identification of unknown substances through the use of specialized test strips using our fluorescent indicator. A dedicated app and cloud-based database will be developed to analyze the data and produce identification.  This system can also facilitate the assessment of new oil wells as well as the identification of biological stains and explosives.

This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law.

ca/ncf
Supplemental Award 1 (Fiscal Year 2016, $50,000)
As submitted by the applicant: A sensitive, rapid, high-sensitivity and low cost method for detecting substances of abuse has been developed.  Through the implementation of new fluorescent indicators and a smart phone capable analysis system we have produced an analysis system that not only identifies target compounds with enhanced specificity, but preserves the chain of evidence. These new fluorescent indicators are based on low cost metal complexes and allow greater detection sensitivity and flexibility.  These indicators are shelf stable and the complexes formed can be stored for long periods of time without loss of fluorescence.  The fluorescence observed in these complexes is due to the nature of the metal and metal-analyte bonds present in the complex.  This is a well understood phenomena and will stand up to Daubert challenges.  By leveraging 3d printing technology with these new fluorescent indicators, and smart phone technology, we have developed a spectrometer that can be used with the camera of a smart phone for the identification of unknown substances through the use of specialized test strips using our fluorescent indicator. A dedicated app and cloud-based database will be developed to analyze the data and produce identification.  This system can also facilitate the assessment of new oil wells as well as the identification of biological stains and explosives.
Note:  This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law.
nca/ncf.


  
Grant-Funded Publications
        
                      A Novel Method for the Presumptive Identification of Heterocyclic Amines of Forensic Interest Using Photoluminescent Copper(I) Iodide Cluster Compounds
                  The Next Generation of Crime Tools and Challenges: 3D Printing
                                                                      NIJ Journal,
                  Nitrogen-Containing Materials for Mechanochemical Synthesis, Luminescence Analysis, and Heterogeneous Catalysis

  
Date Created: September 15, 2015
    
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