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A novel vapor delivery testbed, referred to as the Trace Explosives Sensor Testbed, or TESTbed, is demonstrated that is amenable to both high- and low-volatility explosives vapors including nitromethane, nitroglycerine, ethylene glycol dinitrate, triacetone triperoxide, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine. The TESTbed incorporates a six-port dual-line manifold system allowing for rapid actuation between a dedicated clean air source and a trace explosives vapor source. Explosives and explosives-related vapors can be sourced through a number of means including gas cylinders, permeation tube ovens, dynamic headspace chambers, and a Pneumatically Modulated Liquid Delivery System coupled to a perfluoroalkoxy total-consumption microflow nebulizer. Key features of the TESTbed include continuous and pulseless control of trace vapor concentrations with wide dynamic range of concentration generation, six sampling ports with reproducible vapor profile outputs, limited low-volatility explosives adsorption to the manifold surface, temperature and humidity control of the vapor stream, and a graphical user interface for system operation and testing protocol implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the use of a unique plasma source to controllably functionalize graphene with nitrogen and primary amines, thereby tuning the chemical, structural, and electrical properties. Critically, even highly aminated graphene remains electronically conductive, making it an ideal transduction material for biosensing. Proof-of-concept testing of aminated graphene as a bio-attachment platform in a biologically active field-effect transistor used for DNA detection is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a universal structure and mechanism for the repeatable, rapid-attachment of a fluid cell to a planar substrate. The fluid cell and all fluidic connections are completely contained in a plastic body such that attachment requires neither adhesives nor modification of the substrate. The geometry of the fluid cell is defined by the active area of the planar substrate (e.g.a sensor array). All required components have been quickly prototyped using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining. It is also straight-forward to create an array of fluid cells to attach to a single substrate (e.g.a standard microscope slide). All components are easy to assemble and can be cleaned and reused, making this flexible approach applicable for a wide range of lab-on-a-chip applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the details necessary for building a scalable, flexible, and universal sensor performance evaluation platform with an impactor-inspired sample chamber and a virtual pin grid array for maintaining electrical connections. The system is designed to accommodate a wide range of sensors varying in physical dimensions, electrical connections, and transduction mechanisms. By integrating a switch matrix system with a commercial chip carrier, we have built a platform for rapidly screening sensors for promise in military, homeland security, and commercial applications without requiring custom circuits or packages for each sensor technology. Intuitive, graphical software is written and provided to control and monitor temperature, flow rate, and electrical connections. The system is capable of operating and interfacing with a variety of vapor delivery systems for chemical vapor detection measurements of emerging sensor technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]