Portable Analyzer Based on Microfluidics, Nanoengineered Electrochemical Sensors

This report summarizes the NMSU activity over the first year of the project (i.e., the 11/03-8/04 period). This research effort aims at developing a portable analytical system for fast, sensitive, and inexpensive, on-site monitoring of toxic transition metals and radionuclides in contaminated DOE Sites. In accordance to our original objectives our studies have focused on various fundamental and practical aspects of microchip devices for monitoring metal contaminants. As described in this section, we have made a substantial progress, and introduced effective routes for improving the reliability of devices for field screening of toxic metals. This 11-mos activity has already resulted in 2 research papers (published or in press in major journals), and several invited presentations in major meetings. (Several more publications are expected in the late part of 2004.) The electrochemical sensors being investigated rely on the highly sensitive adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) technique to detect metal ions of interest to the DOE, particularly uranium and chromium