May 24, 2004

Boise State Researcher Develops Detection Method For Ground Contaminants

A recently completed three-year study has successfully developed and implemented sensors to be inserted in the ground to detect contaminants, specifically mercury, uranium and benzene. In relation to this work, one patent has been issued, and three are in the filing stages. Dale D. Russell, a professor in the chemistry department at Boise State University, led the project. The Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA), a coalition of eight Northwestern research universities including Boise State, funded the effort. The standard method of contaminant detection takes a field sample to a laboratory to study it with laboratory instruments. The disadvantages of this method include time delays, possible contamination of the sample or human exposure to the contaminants. Radioactive detection is the current technique used to detect uranium, but it cannot detect it directly in water. In an effort to address the disadvantages and limitations in current methods of contaminant detection, the researchers in this study successfully pioneered designs of the portable sensors. The development of these sensors and their successful implementation are important to the furtherance of contaminant detection methods. Detection capabilities have increased because the design of the mercury sensor can be adjusted to detect other metal contaminants. The second sensor, which detects uranium, can determine the presence of uranium in water. Overall, detection techniques have improved because the sensors provide a time efficient detection system that minimizes human exposure to contaminants. The data is immediate, and it can be tracked over periods of time. According to Russell, the “tracking and monitoring of long-term contamination [and] contaminant levels” is of particular interest to researchers, especially those at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Russell received assistance on this project, entitled “A Portable Chem-FET Sensor Array for Detection of Subsurface Contaminants,” from INEEL’s William Bauer, and William B. Knowlton, an associate professor in Boise State’s electrical and computer engineering department. Knowlton developed the transistors used to interpret the sensors’ data. In addition, Ph.D. student Jonathan Scaggs and Michael W. Hill, a former post-doctoral researcher, provided assistance. INRA is a non-profit scientific and educational organization consisting of eight Northwestern research universities (Boise State, Idaho State University, Montana State University, Utah State University, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Idaho, the University of Montana and Washington State University. INRA was created to promote new opportunities for research and education that will benefit the region and the nation in a variety of technical disciplines. INRA is a partner with Bechtel and BWXT, Inc., in the management and operations contract for the INEEL, operated for the U.S. Department of Energy. INRA’s roles in this contract include the support of collaborative basic and applied research programs between its member universities and the INEEL staff by funding several diverse multi-year research projects in the critical mission areas of the Laboratory, including Environmental Management, Energy Sciences, and National Security. -30- Contact Dale Russell Boise State University 208 426-3975