NSF Convergence Accelerator Track L: An Integrated and Miniaturized Opioid Sensor System: Advancing Evidence-Based Strategies for Addressing the Opioid Crisis

This research addresses the pressing public health challenge of the opioid crisis through the development of innovative, cost-efficient, portable opioid biosensors. The interdisciplinary team, comprising experts from academia, industries, healthcare, and governments, aims to deliver real-world solutions to combat the opioid epidemic. The project's importance lies in its potential to provide immediate, accurate opioid detection and monitoring, which is crucial for effective law enforcement, precise medicine and treatment, and environmental monitoring. This technology aligns with NSF's mission by contributing to the advancement of science, promoting national health, and enhancing public welfare. The broader impacts of this initiative include raising public awareness about opioid risks, fostering educational opportunities in science and technology, and developing a skilled workforce. The project aims to create a paradigm shift in opioid crisis management, offering tangible solutions that can reduce opioid misuse, enhance public safety, and inform effective policymaking. Additionally, it addresses societal needs, including promoting public education on opioid risks and fostering technological and scientific workforce development. The project centers on the creation of a novel opioid biosensor technology, named iM-Dr (inter-Molecular Interaction-enabled Detective Recognition), offering advancements, such as high sensitivity, selectivity, and versatility. Various forms of biosensors, including handheld probes, test strips, and wearable patches, are being developed to cater to diverse applications. The project incorporates cutting-edge sensor materials, artificial intelligence integration, and comprehensive societal impact studies. The project also aims for scalability to ensure widespread accessibility and integration into different sectors of society. The expected outcome is a significant reduction in opioid-related incidents and deaths, an increase in public awareness, and an enhanced framework for research and policy development addressing the opioid crisis. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.