LYNNTECH INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A17-063

Description

Military combatants face the threat of unconventional radiological, biological and chemical agents. Current and future operational theaters present a constantly-expanding set of potential threats that pose a hazard to operations, to include various types of chemical warfare agents and chemistries, biological materials, and energetic/explosive compounds. The U.S. Army has taken the lead towards stimulating the development of an innovative integration of multiple threat detection indicators (chemical warfare agents, biologicals, arsenicals, alkylating agents, energetic, and explosives) into a single-chit form factor. Additionally, it is expected that field operators can further benefit from such a multi-threat detecting indicator if it: i) requires minimal amount of test sample (a drop of liquid or a few grains of powder); ii) rapidly delivers an observable color change that can be compared to a reference bar or chart; iii) exhibits prolonged stability and long shelf-life when stored under a variety of extreme conditions (temperature and humidity), and; iv) is low-cost and relies on robust chemistries and established manufacturing methods and technologies for future large-scale production. As such, in response to this U.S. Army need, Lynntech proposes the development of a highly selective, sensitive, rapid-response, and multi-threat detecting paper-based indicator as part of this Phase I effort.