Fluorescence-based microfluidic test for fast, on-site PFAS detection with smart software
Official title: Fluorescence-solid phase Extraction (F-SPE) Microfluidic Platform for Rapid, Onsite Detection and Identification of PFAS with Machine Learning
Funded at Espira, INC. · NIH-11336872 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new on-site test uses a fluorescence microfluidic chip and machine learning to quickly identify PFAS chemicals in water.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Espira, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,020,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R44ES035349-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336872 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable – environmental health testing, but the technology could ultimately benefit people exposed to PFAS-contaminated water.
✕Less likely to help
People not relying on water testing or in areas without PFAS contamination may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports a compact, low-cost platform that can be used outside traditional labs to detect PFAS contaminants in drinking water. It combines a microfluidic device with fluorescence detection and a machine-learning algorithm to identify PFAS patterns rapidly. The goal is to enable point-of-need screening for communities, utilities, and first responders, reducing the time and cost compared to standard lab methods. Researchers plan to demonstrate performance with real water samples and address practical issues like power needs and portability. The work aims to bring faster, easier PFAS testing to places where timely decisions about water safety matter most.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, communities could quickly screen water for PFAS and take faster action to protect health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous methods exist but often rely on lab-equipped facilities; this project aims to provide a truly portable solution.
Where this research is happening
-
Espira, INC.
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beck, Jason Gregory — Espira, INC.
- Study coordinator: Beck, Jason Gregory
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A new method for quickly detecting harmful chemicals in water.
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use tool that helps quickly find harmful chemicals called PFAS in water, making it affordable and accessible for communities dealing with water contamination.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.