Patent ID: 7029852

Claim:
A method of detecting the presence of chemicals, vira, and bacteria in air samples, comprising: choosing a non-living bioreceptor consisting essentially of desired sensor molecules selected from the group consisting of aptamers, single-chain nucleic acids, double-chain nucleic acids, hybridized chemicals incorporating these molecules and combinations thereof that produce a change in electrical potential when binding to a desired agent selected from the group consisting of chemicals, vira, and bacteria; treating said bioreceptor with fluorescent or luminescent dye to emit photons in response to said change in electrical potential; capturing an air sample by drawing said sample through an intake; mechanically and/or aerodynamically filtering the sample to remove particles>10 μm; using a dam to set up a local vortex to isokinetically sort particles by density and aerodynamic diameter; selecting and impacting particles from the sample within a selected size range on a surface of said bioreceptor to introduce said agent to said surface of said bioreceptor, thereby forming binding therebetween; and detecting said photons emitted by said bioreceptor to indicate the presence of said agent.