ORONO - A sensor developed by a University of Maine professor to detect the presence of dangerous chemical and biological agents has been chosen as one of the National Science Foundation’s notable achievements for 2008.

John Vetelino, a professor of electrical and computer engineering who joined the UMaine faculty in 1969, is regarded as one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of sensor technology. An expert in microsensors, microacoustics and
solid state electronics, Vetelino is a founding member of UMaine’s Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology.

About four years ago, NSF funding allowed him and his research team to focus on development of a sensing element for certain chemical and biological agents that pose a serious health threat in high concentrations.

The UMaine-patented sensor can detect an organo-phosphate pesticide known as phosmet, that is similar to other chemical-warfare agents. It also senses a particularly virulent strain of E. coli as well as saxitoxin, the worst of the several toxins released during the seasonal algae blooms known as red tide.

Vetelino says it was saxitoxin that seriously sickened a Harrington lobsterman and his family last August after they ate red tide-infected mussels that were stuck to the outside of a barrel found floating in the ocean.

David Frankel, LASST senior research scientist, was part of the sensor research team, along with Carl Tripp, professor of chemistry and Paul Millard, associate professor of chemical engineering.

Vetelino’s sensor project led to two more NSF grants, totaling $250,000, to continue his work with E.coli detection. He also received $400,000 in September from the NSF to develop a sensing element to detect peroxide-based explosives that can be made with common ingredients found in any hardware store.