No Power Detection and Identification of Nerve Agents

Identification of organophosphates (OPs) based nerve agents, is vital to the protection of U.S. armed forces personnel. Existing detection methods use bulky and expensive laboratory equipment, negating their battlefield use. Colorimetric indicators such as the currently deployed M8 and M9 detection papers are the fastest, cheapest, and easiest type of detector to use; however, these cannot detect vapor form chemical agents, and are highly susceptible to false positives from bug spray, smoke, gasoline and strong bleach. During the Phase I, Lynntech has developed a passive colorimetric sensor array platform, capable of detecting and identifying a variety of organophosphate based nerve agents. The sensor array consists of a combination of different nanoparticles based chemistries and color changing dyes. Sensor elements are capable of detecting CWA surrogates in liquid and aerosol forms, under extreme temperature conditions, have long shelf life, and can detect chemical agent contamination on a variety of surfaces. During the Phase II, we will develop sensing elements that could identify four live agents and four surrogate OPs, has an extended shelf life, can work under different environmental conditions, is rugged and does not give false positives when used under real conditions in the presence of fumes and other interferences.