CUSTOM

Drugs and Precursor Sensing by Complementing Low Cost Multiple Techniques

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'A large number of techniques have been developed in the latest decades, which are able to screen and identify specific molecules for drug precursors detection even at very low concentration in lab testing.Nevertheless the objective to build up a system which proves to be easy to use, compact, able to provide screening over a large number of compounds and discriminate them with low false alarm (FA) and high probability of detection (POD) is still an open issue.The project will focus on employing multiple techniques, integrating them in a complex system which employs them in a complimentary approach in order to identify an optimum trade-off between opposite requirements: compactness, simplicity, low cost vs. sensitivity low false alarm rate, selectivity. Known techniques, as fluorescence will be improved by mean of novel proteins, as antibodies to extend Probability of Detection (PoD). The techniques are: 1. A low cost, high data throughput sensing technique, based on UV-Vis-NIR fluorescence. Fluorescence will be enhanced by development of Organic macro-molecules sensitive to specific classes of compounds of interest (ephedrine, pseudoephedryne, P2P, …) in the domain of drug detection. The fluorescence analysis will be based on an ‘opto-chip’ which can incorporate an array of different properly engineered fluorescent chemical protein able to bind to the analytes with an ‘immuno-type’ reaction. An array of classes of compounds can be thus very fast discriminated by one-shot measurement. 2. A high sensitivity and selectivity, but compact and low weight, spectroscopic sensing technique in MIR–IR optical range, based on Laser PhotoAcoustic Sensor (LPAS). Detection of drug precursors based on spectroscopic techniques can guarantee a good selectivity, a low Probability of False Alarm and a suitable operation speed. The size of the photo-acoustic cell can be made as small as possible for a compact sensor and, depending on the performances, it can cost down to 1000€.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Technological advances have increased the need for more cost-effective, portable, accurate and sensitive detection and identification of chemical substances. Potential applications range from warfare and border security to medicine manufacture, drug quality monitoring and illicit drug trade.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

While many methods can detect drug precursors at a very low concentration in a lab, a portable field system is yet to be developed. A recent project focused on creating such an affordable, sensitive and specific sensing system, which can screen over a large number of compounds.

The EU-funded project CUSTOM (Drugs and precursor sensing by complementing low cost multiple techniques) developed a portable optical sensing device for chemical compounds. The sensor can detect traces of drug precursors (ephedrine, safrole, acetic anhydride and benzyl methyl ketone) in air.

CUSTOM's sensor is modular, including a microfluidic circuit and a pre-concentrator unit to improve the sensitivity of detection. An incorporated microprocessor handles advanced data processing algorithms and a database. All sensor modules and a power supply are managed by a master control board. A touch screen display provides an easy-to-use machine/user interface.

The project's device uses two complementary sensing techniques. One is the rapid and highly sensitive spectroscopic technique based on photoacoustic transduction of infrared absorption. The second is a highly selective fluorescence method, enhanced by special organic macromolecules, binding the analytes through specific antibody-antigen interactions.

CUSTOM's developed sensor prototype was tested, with a reliability of detection of 98 % and limit of detection below the parts per million range. Successful commercialisation would significantly reduce trafficking of narcotics and counterfeit drugs across borders through detection capabilities in the micrograms per litre range. Law enforcement and customs officials would have a portable, user-friendly device for on-site inspection. Other areas of application include gas analysis, quality control, and safety and security monitoring systems.