Biologic Event Identification and Geolocation Unattended Ground Sensor

The DoD Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Program Performance Plan discusses the status of sensing technologies and long-term goals, and shows point biological detection systems are expected to provide 20% of the objective capabilities in FY15. This indicates that there is the need for a man-portable, disposable, rapidly responding biological agent point detector that is capable of several months of unattended operation. Streamline Automation proposes to develop an innovative biological agent sensor that is based on proven laboratory techniques for heating the biological agent material to release characteristic chemicals, and then performing detection with a nano-material based solid-state chemical sensor. This approach will combine the well established practice of converting the biological detection challenge into a chemical detection challenge with a compact, robust sensor technology that is already being applied to chemical warfare agent detection. The core sensor interfaces with COTS electronics for control and signal processing, which enable the cost target for a disposable sensor node to be easily met. The Phase 1 effort will involve testing sensors to demonstrate sensitivity to biological agent simulants in the laboratory at Alabama A&M University. Phase 2 will focus on prototype node design and testing.