Countermine Vehicle Forwar Looking Terrain Mapping SAR

Not Available The threat of proliferation of chemical and biological weapons has increased alarmingly in recent years. Treaty monitoring and verification activities require the rapid collection and chemical analysis of samples at suspected chemical warfare (CW) agent-producing facilities. Current on-site analysis procedures are slow, thus hindering the effectiveness of verification operations. Sensor devices for both accurate prescreening of collected samples for the presence of signature chemicals associated with CW agents, and for selectively pinpointing areas to be sampled, are needed. Such sensors should be inexpensive, have low logistics burden, and use very little power. Sensitive, specific detection of signature compounds under these demanding conditions requires a novel approach. Physical Sciences, Inc. proposes to develop a small, inexpensive, and rugged microsensor device for chemical warfare agents and associated signature chemicals which can actively sample an environment and selectively indicate the identity and quantity of these species. These signature compounds include live G, V, and H agents, agent precursors (used in agent production) such as dichlor and difluor, and agent decomposition products such as the phosphonic acids. In Phase I a prototype microsensor wil be demonstrated and a preliminary design of the Phase II device will be completed. The proposed microsensor will provide a significant improvement in the detection of signature chemicals associated with chemical warfare agents, and thus will enhance the protection of the civilian and military population. The underlying technology is versatile and can be readily adapted to specific detection of commercially important species including pesticides, environmental pollutants, biomolecules, and odorants. Dual use will be particularly applicable for the chemical medical, agricultural, food, and fragrance industries.