North Carolina Central University Awards
- Project Name: Exploring Chemical and Bio-Sensors Operating at the Quantum Frontiers
Awarding Agency: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy
Project Summary:
The proposed research aims at developing novel nanosensors that can detect sarin gas and OPs used as CBWs. The sensor devices are miniature and sturdy, they provide swift and reliable diagnostics, which make them suitable for large scale monitoring of CBW agents in cities as well in war theatres.
Outcome:
Developed the multiscale modeling for developing the sensing functionality of the chemical/bio sensors, the fabrication of Ge and SiGe quantum dot (QD) arrays on silicon wafers by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), and validation of physics models and improvement of the nanomaterials and test devices. - Project Name: Exploring Chemical and Bio-Sensors Operating at the Quantum Frontiers
Awarding Agency: US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
Project Summary:
To enhance the capability of munitions and weapon systems the Army is investigating the use of additive manufacture and materials printing. These enabling technologies are expected to enhance the performance of power systems, fuzing, guidance systems and soldier systems, through miniaturization, conformal electronics and reduced power consumption. Novel fabrication methodologies are needed to produce economically viable components of high reliability. The research objective is to develop a novel nanofabrication methodology that will significantly reduce the cost of nanofabrication and allow designs to be written over a large area.
Outcome:
The projected completed the parts and processing conditions testing, Investigating and testing various laser diodes and selecting the optimal one, Researching and testing coatings including photoresists and polymers, Selecting linear and rotating stages, diode mounts and other mechanical parts, and Tested preliminary device under different operating conditions such as varying write speed, laser power and coating materials. - Project Name: Utilizing Forecasting Models for Pest or Agricultural Quarantine Smuggling Trends
Awarding Agency: US Customs and Border Patrol
Project Summary:
The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is DHS’s primary research and development (R&D) arm. S&T manages science and technology research, from development through transition, for the department's operational components and the nation’s first responders. S&T’s engineers, scientists and researchers work closely with industry and academic partners to ensure R&D investments address the high-priority needs of today and the growing demands of the future. Animal agriculture hazards include, but are not limited to, foot and mouth disease, avian influenza, and classical swine fever. Plant pests include foreign noxious weeds has caused millions of dollars in losses in numerous communities and damaged crops in the United States. CBP seeks innovative uses of the data they collect during port-of-entry inspections to better predict and mitigate pest threats approaching our shores.
Outcome:
The project goal was to Develop a Data-Driven Risk-Based Time Series Analysis and Forecasting System through the following approach and process: 1. Data Collection (variable, univariable, and time series models for forecasting), 2. Ensemble Modeling with 21 different analytical models that are synthesized into a sincel score, 3. Dynamic Linear Modeling that captures the main features from divergent data, and 4. Vector Autoregression (VAR) as a stochastic process model to capture linear interdependencies. The data collection included multiple modes of crossings at the Canada and Mexico border and country origins of traveler entries. - Project Name: A Comprehensive Risk-Based Analytical Approach to Foreign Plant Pest and Disease Classification
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Project Summary:
This project advances the development of an analytical platform for border protection and plant pest and disease exclusion that exploits multiple interconnected open-source data to monitor global plant biothreat events, including (microbes, insects, and parasites). The consolidation of the millions of metadata records of phytosanitary information, climatic patterns, and near real-time air, marine, and land cargo movement identifies external threats and the corresponding sources of origin.
Outcome:
In order to provide strategic and operational insights from the data-driven biodefense enterprise, the project completed 1. Data Integration, Curation, and Contextualization, 2. Data Analytics and Visualization, 3. Genomic Analysis and Sequencing, and 4. Training and Internships for Workforce Development. - Project Name: Exploring Chemical and Bio-Sensors Operating at the Quantum Frontiers
Awarding Agency: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy
Project Summary:
The objective of Quantum Sensors (QDS) research project is to expand the previous QDS project in developing a sensitive chemical nanosensor small enough to embed in phones and other portable electronic devices that senses and identifies organophosphate (OP) molecules, particularly sarin with sensitivity.The sensing mechanisms are in the quantum level information, never been reported, and is unique where the QD array sensor element when exposed to OP molecules, changes its quantum states which translate to changes in the tunneling current--very molecule specific. The big challenge in QDS is ensuring a coherent coupling of the sensor elements to prevent decoherence and loss of the quantum properties. Research efforts are aimed to design, fabricate, and test a prototype QDS nanosensor and to update theoretical modeling and simulations using experimental results. Future efforts are; 1) continue updating modeling and simulation studies and publish technical papers and patent application, 2) continue the fabrication, test and measurements of fabricated nanosensor elements (NEMS), and 3) comparison of experimental data and the established theories for the nanosensor elements.
Outcome:
The project executed 1. the Nanosensor modeling of the physical, chemical, and quantum properties, 2. the Nanofabrication samples of the nanosensor core, 3. the Fabrication of the sensor chamber and connecting the data acquisition system to the chamber that creates the Labview program, 4. the Preliminary tests on the nanosensor element prototypes, and 5. the project results in a publication and initiated the patent filing.
