Hand-Held Chemical Threat Monitor for the Soldier System

The U.S. Army recognizes the need for the individual soldier to have the ability to rapidly assess the presence of chemical threats whether in vapor phase in the atmosphere or in liquid phase on surfaces. In a recently completed Phase I SBIR program,Foster-Miller, Inc. demonstrated the feasibility of developing a compact, hand-held chemical threat monitor (CTM) based on our unique miniature infrared spectrometer coupled to low cost disposable IR fiber optic sensors. The CTM will be capable ofdetecting and identifying the presence of chemical warfare (CW) agents on surfaces, in liquids, and in vapor phase. The size, weight, and low cost of the CTM will enable use by the individual soldier in the field.During this Phase II program Foster-Miller will design, fabricate, test and deliver to the U.S. Army an engineering prototype of the CTM. Priority tasks will include development of a low cost molded wedge optic/grating component, miniaturized disposableversions of Foster-Miller's unique IR fiber optic sensors, and a high D* linear array detector. The CTM will be optimized for IR detection and identification of chemical threats in the 8 to 12 micron spectral region and be ready for rapid transition tocommercial manufacture. (P-020508)The CTM will provide sophisticated autonomous in-the-field chemical warfare threat or toxic chemical spill analysis capability to both the military and civilian first responders at a reasonable cost. The development of the underlying miniature infraredspectrometer technology will benefit not only homeland defense initiatives but also many major commercial markets including industrial chemical process control and environmental monitoring.