Chemical Agent Detector

ABSTRACT: The worldwide warfare threat from nuclear biological and chemical (NBC) weapons is real and growing. The Air Force is seeking a non-intrusive NBC agent detection and alert technology for use with DoD individual protective masks and garments. To address this Air Force need, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Chemical Agent Detector (CADET). CADET technology is based on a combination of organic thin-film resistors for sensitive chemical interrogation and onboard electronics with a pattern-recognition algorithm to determine exposure levels for each wearer. This combination enables the system to not only detect the presence of a variety of agents such as blister, nerve, and blood agents, as well as TICs, but also quantitate the exposure and alert the wearer. The miniature sensor design and user interface will allow the device to be seamlessly integrated with protective masks and garments. In Phase I, POC demonstrated the feasibility of CADET by detecting three chemical warfare agents using a sensitive, compact prototype in a laboratory. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a fully operational CADET system, fully compatible with protective masks and garments without impacting their form and function. CADET will be extensively tested under relevant conditions using military standards. BENEFIT: Development of CADET will provide the military with a reliable, hands-free method to rapidly determine the identity and exposure level of a variety of CWAs during asymmetric warfare involving NBC agents. CADET will also be useful for law enforcement personnel and first responders who enter contaminated areas to perform their duties. Commercial applications of CADET include chemical pollutant monitoring by environmental protection agencies and air quality regulation. In addition, CADET will be useful for monitoring the indoor and outdoor air at chemical plants and oil refineries. The proposed CADET, with minor modifications, will also have other commercial applications, including terrorism-related biological agent monitoring for Homeland Security, and wastewater monitoring near chemical/biological disposal plants.