Portable Thermo-Photonic Device for On-Site Detection and Quantification of Cannabis Consumption

With recent changes in legalization of cannabis around the world, there is an urgent need for rapid, yet sensitive, screening devices for testing drivers and employees under the influence of cannabis at roadside and workplace, respectively. Oral fluid test strips have recently been explored for such application. While these strips offer simple and non-invasive detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), their detection threshold is about 25 ng/ml which is well above the 1-5 ng/ml per se limits set by regulations. We have recently developed a thermo-photonic measurement system which utilizes the commercially-available low-cost saliva strips but offers detection of THC at unprecedented low concentrations down to 2 ng/ml with 96% accuracy. In this project, we will package our low-cost, but accurate, technology into a hand held device which can be used at roadside or workplace for rapid, but reliable, detection of THC at legally relevant concentrations to enable proper enforcement of driving and workplace safety regulations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Nima Tabatabaei

Student:

Nakisa Samadi

Partner:

I-INC Foundation for Business Development

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

York University