Bioweapon Identification and Triggering by Ionization Signatures

Modern bioweapon detection systems are highly accurate, but require expensive reagents to operate. To reduce costs, a less discriminate trigger system is used to signal the primary detector when a suspicious aerosol is present. Currently deployed UV fluorescence based trigger systems operate successfully, but only work with fluorescent bioweapons. An advanced technology is urgently needed to address bioweapon threats that do not fluoresce under UV light. The measurement of the ionization signatures of bioaerosol particles created by an electrostatic field is a technology that offers a solution. Aerosol is passed through a high intensity electric field that ionizes the particles and leaves them electrically charged in a unique pattern. The particles are then impacted on an electrode and the resulting current flows are measured. The relatively weak electrical signals are then analyzed with a suite of higher order statistical and spectral methods termed Fluctuation Enhanced Sensing (FES). The calculated FES parameters are examined and searched for known patterns indicating the presence of a dangerous aerosol. Once a probable threat is detected, the trigger system signals the main detection system to sample the air and make a more accurate discrimination.