February 20, 2024
Recommended:
The Blaise™ Artificially Intelligent Handheld Raman Spectrometer is a low-cost, portable, and AI-powered device that revolutionizes pathogen detection, early cancer diagnostics, and biosurveillance. Developed by Forward Edge-AI, Blaise™ integrates hyperspectral Raman spectroscopy, microfluidic chips, and machine learning (ML) algorithms to identify bacteria, viruses, and cancer biomarkers in real-time. Designed for diverse environments—from field settings to clinical applications—Blaise™ ensures high sensitivity and specificity while aligning with new government efficiency initiatives. This alignment enhances rapid deployment, cost-effectiveness, and streamlined adoption in critical healthcare and defense sectors.
With an estimated device cost of $800 and a test cost as low as $0.50, Blaise™ is an affordable and scalable solution for healthcare professionals, researchers, military personnel, and point-of-care diagnostics, driving forward government goals for accessible and high-impact medical technologies.
Key Features and Technical Innovations
1. AI-Powered Raman Spectroscopy for Bacteria and Virus Detection
Blaise™ showcases advanced pathogen detection capabilities with:
Detection of 32 biological pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, with sensitivity reaching 100 CFU (Colony Forming Units) and 100 PFU (Plaque Forming Units).
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to amplify Raman signals, improving low-concentration pathogen detection.
Acoustic signal processing for enhanced spectral noise filtering, improving detection accuracy.
Species-level sensitivity of 97% and strain-level specificity of 96%, making Blaise™ one of the most advanced portable spectrometers available.
Differentiation of closely related viral strains (e.g., FluA H1N1 vs. H3N2), enabling real-time disease surveillance and supporting national biosurveillance initiatives.
Forward Edge-AI developed a new signal processing technique to detect bacterial and viral pathogens. Click below to access project videos:
2. Multi-Cancer Detection with Raman Biomarkers
Blaise™ is currently being engineered as an at-home, non-invasive multi-cancer detection solution, targeting over 30 solid tumors at Stage I. Innovations include:
Raman-based identification of molecular biomarkers in breath and urine samples, reducing reliance on invasive procedures.
Microfluidic chip technology for precise biomarker detection at trace levels.
Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) trained through transfer learning to minimize false positives and negatives.
A cost-effective cancer test solution: the Blaise™ spectrometer costs $800, with each disposable test vial priced at $0.50, making it significantly more accessible than commercially available alternatives.
3. Portability and Rugged Field-Ready Design
Designed for mobility and durability, Blaise™ is ideal for biosurveillance, field deployments, and remote healthcare applications:
Compact Design: The spectrometer is roughly the size of an asthma inhaler, ensuring portability.
Smartphone Integration: Connects via USB-C to any smartphone, eliminating the need for bulky hardware.
Microfluidic Chip Technology: Replaces traditional SERS substrates, reducing fluorescence noise and enhancing accuracy.
Powell Lens for Uniform Excitation: Improves spectral clarity and reduces false negatives.
Federated Learning (FL) Integration: Aligns with the DOGE initiative by leveraging decentralized Raman spectral data updates, enhancing detection adaptability for emerging pathogens.
4. Cost-Effective and Scalable
Device Cost: $800 (pathogen detection) or (multi-cancer detection).
Test Cost: $0.50 per pathogen test.
AI-Driven Signal Processing: Enables real-time Raman spectral analysis without cloud dependency, ensuring usability in remote or resource-limited settings.
Applications of Blaise™
Public Health and Biosurveillance
Real-time bacterial and viral pathogen detection for pandemic response.
Portable biosurveillance for military, law enforcement, and first responders in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) defense.
Food safety monitoring for microbial contamination in perishable goods.
Early Cancer Detection
At-home multi-cancer early detection testing.
Integration with telemedicine platforms for real-time reporting and patient monitoring.
Low-cost cancer screening in rural and underserved populations, aligning with government initiatives for equitable healthcare access.
Environmental and Industrial Safety
Chemical and biohazard detection for environmental monitoring.
Water quality testing for pathogen detection in municipal systems.
Jet fuel contamination analysis to ensure aviation safety.
Comparison to Traditional Methods
Feature | Blaise™ Raman Spectrometer | PCR Testing | Lateral Flow Assays | Current MCED Kits |
Detection Time | <45 min | 24–48 hrs | 15–30 min | 7–14 days |
Sample Type | Urine, Breath, Swabs | Blood, Swabs | Swabs, Fluids | Blood |
Portability | High (Smartphone-based) | Low | High | Low |
Cost per Test | $0.50 | $50–$100 | $20–$40 | $949+ |
Multi-Pathogen/Cancer Detection | Yes | No | No | Yes |
AI Integration | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Blaise™ outperforms traditional diagnostic methods by offering a faster, more cost-effective and portable solution.
Future Development and Commercialization
Forward Edge-AI is actively working on:
FDA Approval for Blaise™ as an at-home cancer detection kit.
Integration with Microsoft’s Federated Learning, ensuring continuous AI model updates for emerging pathogen threats.
Global Market Expansion through partnerships with healthcare providers, defense organizations, and research institutions.
Scalable Production to make Blaise™ widely available in hospitals, clinics, and mobile diagnostic units.
Conclusion
Blaise™ represents the next generation of portable diagnostics, merging Raman spectroscopy, artificial intelligence, and microfluidic innovations into an affordable, field-deployable, and highly sensitive platform. Whether for pandemic preparedness, early cancer detection, environmental monitoring, or defense applications, Blaise™ is set to transform real-time diagnostics.
For partnership opportunities and purchasing inquiries, visit Forward Edge-AI.
Award a Phase III Sole Source Contract
A Federal Agency may enter into a Phase III SBIR/STTR agreement at any time with a Phase I OR II Awardee. A subcontract to a Federally funded prime contract may be a Phase III award.
Step 1 Requirements Document: Prepare a Statement of Work (SOW), Statement of Objectives (SOO), or Performance Work Statement (PWS), or use our automated tool to generate a document
Step 2 Market Research: Use this page as your market research, or view a list of other eligible projects, then request a Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) from Forward Edge-AI
Step 3 Funding: Performed by the government
Step 4 Sole Source Justification: A Memorandum for the Record is required in lieu of a J&A or SSJ
Step 5 Provide Requirements Package to Contracting Officer: Performed by the government
Step 6 Solicitation: Performed by the government
Step 7 Pre-Negotiation Memorandum: Use GSA CALC as a benchmark to determine fair and reasonableness of our ROM
Step 8: Contract Award: Performed by the government
Language for Step 4 (Determination and Finding):
Artificial Intelligence (CNN/RNN), Android ATAK, Federated Learning Marketplace, Machine Learning, Microsoft Azure, signal processing (Wavelet and Fourier transformation), Raman Spectroscopy
Contested logistics (fuel and water quality testing), Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) detection, explosives detection, Expeditionary Environments
List of Phase III contracts awarded so far
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SBIR DATA RIGHTS:
Awarding Agency: US Air Force
Contract Number: FA810024C0003
Contractor Name: Forward Edge-AI, Inc.
Contractor Address: 10108 Carter Canyon, San Antonio, TX 78255
Expiration of SBIR Data: March 08, 2044
Protection Period: 20 years from award of contract on March 08, 2024
The Government's rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose technical data or computer software marked with this legend are restricted during the period shown as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of the Rights In Other Than Commercial Technical Data and Computer Software–Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program clause contained in the above identified contract. After the expiration date shown above, the Government has perpetual government purpose rights as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of that clause. Any reproduction of technical data, computer software, or portions thereof marked with this legend must also reproduce the markings.
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