Polymer-Based Chemical Agent Detector

Nomadics proposes to build on the success of the amplifying polymer detection systems and Phase I results to develop prototype devices for the detection of select chemical warfare agents. The devices will include a passive badge-type personal exposuremonitor and a battery-powered portable field sensor for chemical warfare agents. The sensor technology is an amplifying fluorescent polymer coupled with a chromophore. The AFP has been demonstrated to detect trace elements of volatile chemicals in theparts per quadrillion range. This extreme level of sensitivity provides superior detection capabilities; further, because this capacity is achieved without the use of expensive, complex drive electronics, very low-cost systems are possible, especially withthe leverage of sacrificing some sensitivity for reduced costs and portability. The devices will be demonstrated using surrogate and actual CW agents.