Colorimetric chemical sensors are some of the simplest and low-cost sensors available to the End User today. Advancements in small, chip-based optical readout packages, coupled with low-power electronics and wireless communications modules, have allowed for the development of a hands-free colorimetry-based chemical sensor that effectively acts as self-reading M8 paper that responds to vapor-phase chemical threats. We have designed a self-contained, throwable and reusable prototype (TOSSIT – the Tactical Optical Spherical Sensor for Interrogating Threats) that can be used by the End User, acting as a remote point vapor sensor to provide early warning of a chemical threat. The TOSSIT sensor has wireless capability to let the user know what is the current alarm state of the device. These prototypes have been tested against toxic industrial chemical (TIC) vapors in the lab and have undergone surety testing against select chemical agent threats. Other mission areas under consideration include perimeter defense using the sensor in unobtrusive packaging as well as wide area deployment by aerial assets.
KEYWORDS: Sensors, Dyes, Chemical fiber sensors, Light emitting diodes, Biological and chemical sensing, Prototyping, Chemical weapons, Windows, Toxic industrial chemicals, Signal detection
Colorimetric chemical sensors are some of the simplest and low-cost sensors available today. Advancements in small, chip-based optical readout packages, coupled with low-power electronics and wireless communications modules, have allowed for the development of a hands-free colorimetry-based chemical sensor that effectively acts as self-reading M8 paper that responds to vapor-phase chemical threats. We have designed a prototype that can be worn by the user and operate autonomously to provide individual-level chemical threat early notice. By integrating these sensors into a communications network, opportunities exist to create team-scale mesh chemical sensor networks. These prototypes have been tested against toxic industrial chemical (TIC) vapors in the lab and have undergone surety testing against select chemical agent threats. In an effort to extend the utility of these chemical sensors, we have recently started a new effort to integrate the sensor package into new form factors for new tasks. Examples of these include a throwable ball sensor for proximal remote point sensing (in the field or probing an enclosed space) and an unobtrusive sensor placed around a fixed site to monitor for upwind chemical releases.
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