Multifunctional Sensor System for Search and Rescue

Accurate threat detection is required by workers in search-and-rescue and disaster relief operations. These threats come from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) agents as well as electrical hazardous and air quality threats. This proposal focuses on furthering the Phase I system design and the construction of prototype multifunctional detection systems specifically for collection, speciation, identification and quantification of multiple gas phase chemicals, quantification of radioactive threats and several atmospheric threats. This ambitious, multidisciplinary program will utilize multiple sensor technologies to meet the requirements of the solicitation, including individual low cost detectors, such as chemicapacitive, metal-oxide, and electrochemical sensors, and more integrated technologies which have already been proven in other applications. In Phase I Seacoast Science investigated several detection technologies and has selected several for inclusion in the Phase II prototype system. Seacoast proposes to integrate these systems into a single portable, hand-held, robust prototype with an easy-to-use interface. Chemical sensors will be tested with Seacoast’s preconcentration and chromatography system; thus combining selectivity from a diverse array of sensors with a miniature sampling system for amplified sensitivity. BENEFIT: The product proposed here could be used to by civilian and military search-and-rescue and disaster-relief workers to detect threats in area where CBRNE, electrical and atmospheric threats may exist. Once developed into a standalone system, device has very broad relevance in a number of other government and civilian applications. For example, these sensors may be used in any application for monitoring a variety of chemical targets where a premium is placed on early detection. The low cost, low power consumption and small size of this technology is expected to enable penetration of market space previously inaccessible to sensor systems. Portability makes this system more likely to be effective in rescue efforts over rough terrain. There are an estimated 2 million first responders in the United States (police, fire fighter, and military). Assuming that 10% of the US first responder market purchase only one of the proposed systems, i.e. 1-3 system per department-level organization, the total market space is estimated to be at least $10 million.