BIOCOMPATIBLE FLUORESCENT MICROSPHERES: SAFE PARTICLES FOR MATERIAL PENETRATION STUDIES (TAS Review Brief)

The use of biocompatible polymer microspheres has been proposed for use in drug delivery, dispersal model verification and as a surrogate for threat agents in instrument validation. Modifying the production methods used in drug delivery for aerosol production should allow for low cost bio-weapon simulants. The ability to have a polymer sphere with a broad range of property tuning will allow for safe low cost use for homeland security and defense applications. Three main challenges are present in the production of such spheres. The first challenge is the reproduction of the fluorescent and other chemical properties of interest. Secondly, the particles must have the size and charge attributes needed for the specific application and testing. Finally, in order to reproduce testing and evaluation criteria a rapid, reliable, scalable and low cost production method must be available.