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An Innovative Ultramicroelectrode Array for Field-Deployable Trace Metal Analysis--Lynntech, Inc., 7610 Eastmark Drive, Suite 202, College Station, TX  77840-4023; 979-693-0017

Dr. Adrian Denvir, Principal Investigator

Dr. G. Duncan Hitchens, Business Official

DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-00ER83037

Amount:  $100,000

 

Because of their needs to accurately monitor the movement of radioactive or toxic metals in the environment, the DOE has been at the forefront in developing microfabricated electrochemical sensors for trace metal analysis.  Recent advances in electroanalytical technology, especially in the field of metal stripping for trace metal analysis, have resulted in the development of a sound technical background regarding the necessary electrochemical steps needed for the detection of hazardous metals in the environment.  However, the microsensors developed from this technology suffer from drawbacks such as electrode instability and are limited by the number of materials they can detect.  Lynntech Inc., has pioneered a new technique which is capable of producing nano-scale electrodes for ultramicroelectrode arrays that are 100 times smaller, and more stable than electrode arrays used in microsensors currently under development.  The core of this technology centers around Lynntech's patented conducting polymer technology.  During Phase I we will demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing an ultramicroelectrode array consisting of electrodes with critical dimensions less than 1 µm.  This array will be fully characterized and demonstrated as a functional array for metal stripping analysis.  During the Phase I effort, Lynntech will use an electron beam to generate submicron width lines of conducting polymer which will then be used to cathodically deposit a metal such as gold or iridium onto their surface.  This is an innovative approach for fabricating an ultramicroelectrode array consisting of a series of metal electrodes with critical dimensions less than 1 micron.  The array will be physically characterized using STM/AFM and electron microscopy.  The array will be also be tested to show it is capable of detecting metal ions in low ppb concentrations. 

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  The number of contaminated sites in the U.S. has been estimated in the hundreds of thousands.  Characterization of these sites can cost between 0 percent and 40 percent of the total remediation cost, with the average being 15 percent.  In a $12 billion market, this equates to $1.8 billion sales for monitoring technologies.