Light-weight optical sensor for standoff detection of fluorescent biosensors

Cell-based biosensors can be modified to express fluorescent proteins when in contact with trace substances like TNT. Stand-off detection of activated fluorescent biosensors becomes feasible by optical sensors which shine excitation light on the biosensor and collects the fluorescence light. We propose a low cost, light-weight sensor solution which consists of a LED illuminator, a large aperture light collector and a solid state detector. The irradiance level and the detection efficiency are expected to be sufficient for short range detection.