Comprehensive Chemical, Biological, and Explosives Indicator Ticket Platform for Rapid Field Identification of Threats

For mission success in the modern operational environment, chemical threat agents must be rapidly detected and accurately identified. Currently M8 and M9 papers are used, but these are restricted in the types of agents that can be detected and are handicapped by high rates of false identifications. In Phase I, highly selective color change chemical reactions were formulated and deployed onto paper indicators strips (tickets). A broad range of threat agent surrogates were detected (G, H, V, L agents and explosives). The detection procedure is by surface blotting, distinct color changes develop within 15 seconds, trace levels of threat agent are detected (microliter volumes as dilute as 1 part per million) with low risk of false positives. Also, the new color indicator chemistry has the potential to detect emerging threats, e.g., non-traditional agents (NTAs) and pharmaceutical based agents (PBAs). Indicator tickets are low cost, utilize commercially available materials, and are prepared using methods compatible with commercial production. Phase II involves production of ticket prototypes with validation using live agents. The proposed technology has civilian uses (DHS, FBI, FEMA, HAZMAT, First Responders, police, firefighters, etc.). Additional uses include detection of toxic industrial chemicals for environmental protection and for industrial safety.