OBJECTIVE
Develop low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) microsensor for chemical threats that can be easily distributed and networked to support integrated early warning.
ITAR
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
DESCRIPTION
Design and fabricate a low SWaP-C microsensor that can be easily distributed across the battlespace would provide integrated early warning of chemical threats. A chemical threat microsensor will be designed to detect chemical weapons agents (nerve and blister classes) and pharmaceutical based agents in vapor and aerosol forms, in near real time. The sensor will maximize use of innovative sensing modalities to provide class-based, presumptive chemical threat detection in less than 10 minutes. The sensor will be readily deployable through multiple means, including unmanned vehicles, projectiles, or hand emplacement to enhance rapid response and decision making. The sensor will collect and feed high density data in near real time to support mission command systems and create a CBRN common operating picture. The sensor will self-calibrate and continuously operate in a complex operational environment. The final system will employ rapid and networked signal processing algorithms to exchange data with network operators. The final system should have a total mass less than 250 grams and a diameter no greater than 5 centimeters for the complete system, including power source (if applicable), and shall operate 24 hours or longer on a single charge with intermittent detections.
PHASE I
Design and develop a low-cost, compact chemical agent breadboard prototype sensor that can detect classes of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) or pharmaceutical-based agents (PBAs) in vapor or aerosol states of matter. Prototype sensors may be tunable or multiplexed for detection of at least two classes of chemical threats. Demonstrate sensitivity at ten-minute critical exposure concentrations1 with a 90% probability of detection within 10 minutes. Demonstrate ability of the microsensor to enter and manage network communication with continuous network connectivity. Develop methods for scaled fabrication. The desired system will have the lowest attainable Size, Weight and Power demand (SWaP). Proposals focusing on graphene or chemiresistive semiconducting metal oxide arrays will not be considered. Offers of market surveys will be considered non-responsive.
PHASE II
Design, build, and test a higher fidelity prototype microsensor hardware that provides the form, fit and function of the targeted end-product as described. Demonstrate software and algorithms for near real-time detection of chemical threats. Demonstrate data processing and network communications integrated into the hardware, within the described final system mass and volume. Demonstrate the ability to detect at least 3 classes of a broad range of chemical threats in either the vapor or aerosol phase at ten-minute critical exposure concentrations1 with a 95% probability of detection within 10 seconds. Demonstrate ability to transmit detection data between an array of microsensors to showcase networkability. Demonstrate prototype operation in simulated environments and validate against chemical actual threats. Deliver 15 operational prototypes meeting these criteria to the government for additional testing, operational upon delivery (no cold storage or fresh benchtop wet chemistry to functionalize prototypes). Prototypes must be appropriate for downstream scale-up.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
PHASE III: Integrate the prototype sensor array with its electronic and physical packaging and software and establish a manufacturing process for small production runs of 20 miniature deployable sensors per run. The desired system will have the lowest attainable SWaP demand and comply with the described mass and volume restrictions. Demonstrate integration and deployment of prototype sensor should using current unmanned/robotic platforms with minimal configurations.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Beyond a DoD application, this technology will be useful to civilian and military first responders for environmental detection and health monitoring.
REFERENCES
"Technical Guide 230: Environmental Health Risk Assessment and Chemical Exposure Guidelines for Deployed Military Personnel" US Army Public Health Command, 2013 Revision.
F. Keith Perkins, Adam L. Friedman, Enrique Cobas, Paul M. Campbell, Glenn G. Jernigan, and Berent T. Jonker. "Chemical Vapor Sensing with Monolayer MoS2" Nano Letters 13 (2013): 668-673.
Radislav A. Potyrailo, Steven Go, Daniel Sexton, Xiax Li, Nasr Alkadi, Andrei Kolmakov, Bruce Amm, Richard St-Pierre, Brian Scherer, Majid Nayeri, Guang Wu, Christopher Collazo-Davila, Doug Forman, Chris Calvert, Craig Mack, and Philip McConnell. "Extraordinary Performance of Semiconducting Metal Oxide Gas Sensors using Dielectric Excitation" Nature Electronics, 3 (2020): 280-289.
Cheng Li, Trevor Lohrey, Phuong-Diem Nguyen, Zhouyang Min, Yisha Tang, Chang Ge, Zachary P. Sercel, Euan McLeod, Brian M Stoltz, and Judith Su. "Part-per-Trillion Trace Selective Gas Detection Using Frequency Locked Whispering Gallery Moid Microtoroids" ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 14 (2022): 42430-43440.
Sajjad Hajian, Dinesh Maddipatla, Binu B. Narakathu, and Massood Z. Ashtabar. "MXene-based flexible sensors: A review" Frontiers in Sensors, 26 vol. 3 (2022): 1-24.
Philip Wilcox, Jason Guicheteau, Justin Curtiss, Ian Pardoe, Ai Sohrabi, Neal Kline, Michael Ellzy, Jennifer Hughes, Nathanael Tchamanbe-Djine. "Deployable Microsensor Assessment Protocol Volume I: Vapor" DEVCOM CBC-TR-1909, October 2024.
Philip Wilcox, Jason Guicheteau, Justin Curtiss, Ian Pardoe, Ai Sohrabi, Neal Kline, Michael Ellzy, Jennifer Hughes, Nathanael Tchamanbe-Djine. "Deployable Microsensor Assessment Protocol Volume II: Liquid Aerosol" DEVCOM CBC-TR-1945, June 2025.
Lazanas, Alexandros Ch. and Prodromidis, Mamas I. "Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy-A Tutorial" Measurement Science, 3, 162-193, August 2023.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
NOTE:
To ask a question, you must
log in or create an account
for the DSIP.
