10x Threat Detection Sensitivity Deployed in Battlefield Systems

Speed, discrimination and sensitivity are the key specs of chemical sensors. A high performance, reliable sensor is critical for saving soldier’s life in chemical warfare attacks. Carbon Technology, Inc. (CTI) is proposing a new sensing technique by measuring the response of the molecule to the RF stimulation signal. The sensor will be built on single walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT) bridging electrodes with an ultrathin coating. Their extremely large surface-to-volume ratio and 6 orders of magnitude on/off ratio will deliver extremely high sensitivity in detecting molecules near it or attached to it via a functionalization. CTI has developed the recipe to grow well controlled CNTs using CVD technology, and the clean process to fabricate devices on top of such CNTs. During the Phase I program, CTI will collaborate with a research group in UCI Irvine and Design West Technologies, Inc. on development and test with the goals of improving response time, sensitivity and discrimination by at least a factor of 10 over current state of the art devices. Partnering with Design West Technology on their already developed DropPuck® battlefield and beyond sensor system will allow for rapid insertion into DoD and commercialization.