Reactive Nanoparticles as Destructive Adsorbents for Biolog

The objective of this Phase I is to demonstrate the use of Reactive Nanoparticles (RNP) for the decontamination/sterilization of biological agents and their mimics. Recent studies have shown that RNPs are very effective for chemical agent decontamination at ambient or higher temperature. Examples include paraoxon, VX, half mustard and HD. RNPs themselves are generally made of non-toxic magnesium, calcium, or iron oxide powders. In nanoparticle form they have very high surface areas, with highly reactive and desiccating properties, which make them promising for biological decontamination of biological agents. Furthermore, a new, proprietary RNP-chlorine adduct has been prepared that has added ptotential. Preliminary studies on Bacillus globigii spores (a heat resistant simulant for biological warfare agents) have been promising. RNPs are light, non-toxic powders that can be stored almost indefinitely, and should be easy to deploy in battlefield conditions.