Left Navigation Bar
Background
Background
Needs
SBIR-Related Needs
Project Status
Literature Searches
Technology Focus
Contacts
This content is being minimally managed and was last updated in 2010. EPA recognizes that this content is relevant to site remediation stakeholders and will continue streamlined review and maintenance of this content.
Top Navigation Bar About the Technology Innovation ProgramU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Literature Search - Detailed Result
Grant Program: Compound Specific Imprinted Nanospheres for Optical Sensing (EPA 2002 STAR Grant)
Grant Agency: U.S. EPA
Grant Project Number: R830911
Period of Performance: 06/01/2003 through 05/31/2006
Grant Amount: $323,000
Contact Information: Investigators: Barry K. Lavine (bklab@clarkson.edu) & Janos Fendler (Clarkson Univ.), William Rudolf Seitz (Univ. of New Hampshire)

The objective of the proposed research is to investigate the use of molecularly imprinted polymers as the basis of a sensitive and selective sensing method for the detection of pharmaceutical and other emerging organic contaminants at parts per billion (ppb) levels in aquatic environments. The effects of polymerization conditions including formulation, temperature, and solvent on the size, selectivity, and sensitivity of the molecularly imprinted polymers employed will be determined. Both the sensitivity and selectivity of prototype sensors developed from the molecularly imprinted polymers will be evaluated in a realistic milieu using samples of known buffering capacity, ionic strength, and bivalent metal content. The work described in this proposal, the development of field-based inexpensive, and rapid sensors for the detection and determination of emerging organic and pharmaceutical compounds in water, will have an impact on how the nation will approach the monitoring, regulation, cleanup, and ultimate removal of these contaminants from U.S. waters.