SpectroSens, developed by Southampton University spin-out Stratophase, uses an optical silicon chip to detect toxins, viruses and bacteria in real time
A UK-developed and patented biochemical detector technology offers effective and practical detection of biological threats.
SpectroSens offers substantial improvements in reliability, functionality and cost over existing biochemical detection technologies says Stratophase.
In particular it uses patented technology designed to reduce the incidence of false alarms - a major advantage for both public and military security applications.
SpectroSens has been developed using Stratophase's proprietary process for simultaneously writing a waveguide and a planar Bragg grating into the chip.
In use, a conditioned beam of light is transmitted to the chip through a fibre-optic cable and directed at the sensor grating.
The target agent is carried in liquid across the surface of the sensor chip, and tiny changes in sample composition can be detected in real time by very precise, continuous monitoring of the wavelength of light reflected from the sensor.
This simple approach enables SpectroSens to be linked to the most common fluid handling and capture systems.
The platform becomes a robust and sensitive biological detector when the chip is pre-coated with antibodies to specific target molecules spanning bacteria, viruses and toxins.
It can detect changes due to the presence of biological and chemical substances on the surface of the chip with a precision better than one part in one million.
It also eliminates some of the drawbacks of using existing biochemical detection technologies as 'detect and warn' devices, such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and other techniques based on the use of antibodies.
In particular, simultaneous interrogation of the sensor at a range of wavelengths provides a multi-dimensional view of binding events on the chip surface, thus differentiating between the intended target antigen and other molecules and therefore reducing false alarms.
The potential of the SpectroSens technology has been recognised by governments and Stratophase says it is in ongoing discussions with more than 20 blue chip companies around the world for the commercialisation of the SpectroSens technology.
Stratophase CEO and founder Richard Williams explains: "There are other detection technologies available but to date none has offered a viable, useful solution for practical detection instrumentation able to meet today's very real threat.
"In particular, SpectroSens detects a far wider range of pathogens and detects these in real time, while also reducing the very real problem of false alarms.
"It offers a significant leap forward for the development of instrumentation for use in counter-terrorism and military applications".
There is considerable activity worldwide to find practical and reliable solutions for detection of biochemical threats, most notably in homeland security.
No country is more active in this than the USA, where the market for biochemical detection is currently worth approximately $725m and is forecast to grow to more than $2.4bn by 2012.
The US National Strategy for Homeland Security states that 'affordable, accurate, compact and dependable sensors, however, are not available'.
It makes specific reference to the need to develop 'sensitive and highly selective systems that detect the release of biological or chemical agents'.
In the UK, the Home Office has launched a research programme to identify how science and technology can strengthen UK capabilities to combat terrorism.
