Nanoparticle Based Hand-Portable Waterless Decontamination System

"The objective of this Phase II proposal is to develop a hand-portable waterless decontamination system based on Reactive Nanoparticle Technology to address chemical and biological threats. Currently fielded chemical warfare decontamination technologieseither rely on harsh oxidants (such as bleach) or logistically complicated bulky, equipment (such as high temperature pressure washers). An ideal first response decontamination system would be hand portable, ready-to-use and effective on contact.Further, the decontaminant of this ideal system would not harm either personnel or materiel. Nanoscale Materials, Inc. (NMI) has identified several unique reactive nanoparticle (RNP) formulations that hold promise as chemical and biological warfare agentdecontaminants. RNPs have been shown to destructively adsorb a variety of chemical warfare agents and their related simulants. By incorporating RNPs in a pressurized container it would be possible to develop a waterless handheld decontamination systemthat is portable, effective, and logistics free."