SBIR-STTR Award

In this Phase I SBIR Proposal, Nanotherapeutics, Inc. proposes to demonstrate the improved proximity detection of hexamethylene triperoxidediamine (HMTD) and triacetone triperoxide (TATP) explosives using its proprietary NanobreathTM preconcentrator and 4-SAW array. The NanobreathTM 4-SAW Array, a novel, portable, rapid gas chromotography (GC) system, currently being developed for medical testing and diagnosis, will be evaluated for the rapid detection of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) at safe distances. While most conventional explosives detectors rely on the presence of nitrogen groups in the explosive molecule to obtain a positive response, non-nitrogen containing HMTD and TATP peroxide explosives present a serious challenge to detection and neutralization by counter-terrorism and security forces. Nanotherapeutics proposes to (1) evaluate different concentrations of HMTD and TATP in ambient air, (2) evaluate different preconcentrator adsorbant materials and air collection volumes for proximity sampling, and (3) evaluate different chemoselective polymer coatings on surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors to measure the linear response range and limit of detection (LOD). It is proposed to demonstrate the feasibility of the NanobreathTM system for improved proximity detection in the Phase I Project towards the development of a robust commercializable explosive detection system in the Phase II Project

The overall goal of this Phase II project is to develop the Nanobreath® detection system for proximity detection of explosives at 50 meters, and specifically detection of peroxide improvised explosive devices (IED’s) such as TATP and HMTD. Pentagon statistics show that about half the U.S. battle deaths occurred as a result of homemade, easy-to-hide IED’s. Proximity vapor sampling and detection is non-invasive and allows wide area detection from stationary or moving air sampling. In the Phase I SBIR project, Nanotherapeutics, Inc. was successful in demonstrating proximity detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) peroxide explosive using its proprietary Nanobreath® preconcentrator and 4-SAW array. The current Nanobreath® setup was successfully able to provide sensitive and vapor specific detection proportional to a 100 gram TATP IED 5 to 10 meters away and Phase II studies are proposed to improve the sensitivity and specificity resulting in a device that can provide rapid detection of concealed explosives at safe distances (50 meters). The Phase II project will include development and testing of a robust, commercializable detection system (System modification, IED agent vapor quantification, IED agent challenge, laboratory interference tests, and field interference tests) in collaboration with its commercialization partner RF Monolithics, Inc.

Benefit:
Naval, DOD, Government, and Private Sector applications of a robust stationary or vehicle-mounted vapor sensor system (Nanobreath®) potentially include detection of explosives, chemical / biological warfare agents, VOCs, and medical diagnosis / monitoring.

Keywords:
HMTD, peroxide explosive, Improvised Explosive Device, IED, explosives, Sensor, TATP, detection