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Development of a Smart PFAS-Collector for High-Throughput PFAS Detection

Award Number: R43ES033585
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2023

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Development of a Smart PFAS-Collector for High-Throughput PFAS Detection - Project Summary/Abstract 1 Rising awareness of the ubiquity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) coupled with 2 growing evidence of human health hazards has led to increased PFAS testing of water sources 3 that feed drinking-water supplies. Early estimations of the PFAS treatment market are at $3.1Bn, 4 with testing representing a key revenue driver. While highly accurate, current high resolution mass 5 spectroscopy (HRMS) PFAS detection methods have high per sample costs and long turnaround 6 times. The specialized equipment is expensive and requires skilled personnel and laborious 7 sample preparation. As a result, budget-strapped stakeholders may limit the comprehensive 8 testing needed for site assessment. Long turnaround times can mean continued community 9 exposure and uncertainty of clean-up progress. AxNano is developing a low-cost, high- 10 throughput, portable PFAS-detection method. We aim to initially develop this as a screening tool 11 for environmental engineers to provide real-time data of elevated PFAS levels to inform exposures 12 and further testing needs. Long-term goals are to achieve specificity and detection limits 13 necessary for receiving EPA approval. This technology meets the specific Superfund Research 14 Program need of “nanotechnology-based sensors” to “characterize [and] monitor hazardous 15 substances at contaminated sites”. 16 The specific objectives of this Phase I SBIR program are the development of and bench-scale 17 testing of AxNano’s PFAS-targeting “smart” collector, which is a key component of our high 18 throughput PFAS detector. The long-term objectives of this multidisciplinary technology 19 development program will integrate material science, advanced spectroscopy, and data analytics. 20 The key innovation in this work is unique PFAS-targeting nanoparticles that will produce a 21 fluorescence signal upon binding PFAS. Our initial goal is ppb level detection, and ultimately ppt 22 to meet regulatory requirements. Specific tasks of this Phase I include lab-scale manufacturing of 23 a suite of surface-modified fluorescent nanoparticles and testing for PFAS-targeting and - 24 detecting abilities. Promising candidates will be down-selected according to specific criteria and 25 integrated into a pre-prototype “smart” collector, which will then be tested at bench-scale. Phase 26 I will test proof-of-concept against standard solutions of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 27 perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and an Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF) Ansulite. 28 Additional tasks involve preparing for prototyping and broader PFAS compound testing in realistic 29 environments in Phase II.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2021	AXNANO LLC	2901 E GATE CITY BLVD	GREENSBORO	NC	27401	GUILFORD	USA	NIEHS Superfund Hazardous Substances_Basic Research and Education	000	1	5/24/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $168,087 )
2021	2021	AXNANO, LLC	527 BRIDGE STREET, SUITE 301	DANVILLE	VA	24541	DANVILLE CITY	USA	NIEHS Superfund Hazardous Substances_Basic Research and Education	000	1	8/26/2021	NEW	$168,087
														Subtotal = $168,087

Grand Total All Awards = $168,087

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Development of a Smart PFAS-Collector for High-Throughput PFAS Detection

Award Number: R43ES033585

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2023

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