SBIR-STTR Award

HJ Science & Technology proposes to demonstrate the feasibility of an automated technology capable of autonomous measurements and reporting of the concentrations of fluorocarbons in groundwater. Our innovation stems from our patented valve-less fluidic switching (VLFS) technology that we have developed for a myriad of microfluidic automation applications.The overall instrument is compact, light weight, portable, inexpensive, and easy to use with a full automation capability, specifically designed for the autonomous measurements of the concentrations of functionalized perfluorocarbons such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in groundwater with sensitivity and selectivity that are only currently achievable with laboratory-based instruments. The benefit of such a portable platform includes reduction in time and cost, and real-time data for better and more-timely decision making. The primary focus of this Phase I effort is demonstrate the feasibility of using our technology to 1) measure PFOA and PFOS concentrations in water samples with a Method Detection Limit of 10 parts-per-trillion under two hours, and 2) perform automated sample loading, concentration, and measurement.If the Phase I research effort is successfully, we will design a field-deployable Phase II prototype.perfluorooctanoic acid,perfluorooctanesulfonic acid,autonomous instrument,microfluidic automation,sample concentration

In Phase I, we established the technical feasibility of a field portable technology capable of performing automated sample concentration of functionalized perfluorocarbons  (PFCs) such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in groundwater. The overall goal of the Phase II project is to build and test a fully functional field deployable Phase II prototype capable of determining a broad class of PFCs in groundwater and other environmental water sources. The Phase II prototype integrates a sample concentration system and a sample injection system with a commercial field-portable GC/MS system. The sample concentration system automates the rapid evaporation procedure to concentrate the sample. The sample injection system performs automated SPME sampling of the concentrated sample and injection into the input port of the field portable GC/MS system. The GC/MS system performs separation and detection of the sample. The Phase II prototype is capable of performing automated separation and detection of a broad class of PFC’s in liquid samples with a Method Detection Limit below 10 parts-per-trillion under two hours.