Sensing Materials
Enzyme-Polymer Hybrids
ICx Technologies possesses proprietary technology in the synthesis and application of enzymes and other protein-containing polymers. Most notably, this technology is used in our chemical agent point detectors. This work began in 1999 under the direction of two of the nation's leading experts on enzyme-polymer materials – Dr. Keith LeJeune and Dr. Alan Russel. Our expertise includes applied enzymology, formulation development and enzyme-polymer synthesis (foams, gels and pads, from urethanes and acrylates).
Enzyme polymerization involves the immobilization of proteins covalently bonded within a growing polymer chain. These polymerized enzymes have improved performance and provide for a range of new product opportunities utilizing this chemistry: activity and specificity are well maintained; catalytic lifetimes are extended by stabilization of the enzyme tertiary structure; proteins can be loaded into materials while retaining favorable physical properties; expensive enzyme purification techniques are not required in many applications; enzyme environmental and thermal sensitivity are dramatically reduced; general applicability, usability, and reusability are markedly improved.
Consumer Technology
Seafood Freshness Sensor
ICx is applying an enzyme-based sensor platform technology to the detection of chemical markers for seafood spoilage. The enzyme-polymer based sensor undergoes visible color changes upon exposure to inadequately stored/aged fish and seafood. A simple, low-cost technique to indicate the freshness level of seafood products at the point of sale could reduce incidences of food-borne illness and secure consumer confidence in seafood quality.
Currently, the most common approaches to assessing fish quality involve sensory methods to evaluate food characteristics by sight, smell and touch. While it is clear that the sensory assessment of fish has utility, proper analysis can only be done by a properly trained group of three to six assessors. The basics of assessment can be learned in a two day training course, but efficiency can only be gained through years of experience.
Continuous Monitoring
Continuous Water Monitoring 
ICx patented technologies for enzyme-polymer sensor synthesis and biocatalytic dynamic equilibrium sensing are compatible with continuous monitoring of water quality for dilute concentrations of nerve agents. A bench-top model has proven to rapidly respond to contamination in water at relevant concentrations during live agent tests conducted at government facilities. It has shown to be resistant toward chemical and environmental interference and to operate for extended periods without user intervention.
The system will operate hands free with little maintenance required. The system will include wireless communication and costs will be significantly lower than comparable analytical instruments. The ability to detect chemical contamination, other than nerve agents, will be added to the unit during the ongoing optimization process.