Microsensors for In-Situ Chemical, Physical , and Radiological Characterization of Mixed Waste

A widespread need exists for portable, real-time, in-situ chemical, physical, and radiological sensors for the characterization and monitoring of mixed waste, ground water, contaminated soil and process streams ranging from plume containment and remediation to determination of location, chemical composition, and level of DNAPLs. The objective of this research phase is to gain a better understanding of the molecular level mechanism of adsorption-induced stress on the microcantilever. The ability to manipulate and control these stresses will lead to the development of highly selective and extremely sensitive sensors for EM specific applications in liquid environment in presence of interferents. For example, it is possible to separate chemisorption and physisorption by simultaneous measurement of resonance parameters. Based on this fact, we will develop and demonstrate corrosion resistant cantilevers with parts-per-trillion sensitivity for metal ions in solution such as Hg, CrO4 2-, Sr2+, and TcO4 -. Selectivity will be achieved by orthogonal arraying of modified cantilevers