Date: Jan 15, 2010 Source: ARMY SBIR Success Stories (
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The U.S. military is looking for newly developed sensor technology to assist in reducing the supply of illicit drugs. Early identification of the location of a suspected drug lab is a critical first step in control. Today no technology is readily available to detect and document the illegal production and trafficking of drugs.
Seacoast Science is using its advanced chemical sensing technology to develop a micro-electromechanical systems- based low-cost, low-power, portable drug lab detection system for field use. Under Phase I SBIR funding, this system was originally intended to be used to detect the common drugs and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are used in makeshift labs to manufacture illicit drugs, such as meth and cocaine. This system has since been expanded to be a dual use device that can also be used to protect law enforcement from exposure to toxic chemicals when entering suspected drug labs.
Seacoast continued this work in a Phase II SBIR effort to develop detectors for use in the War-on-Drugs in Central and South America. Seacoast Science expanded the scope of this project to develop a high-tech precursor detection system that can be used by local, state, and federal agencies as well as private companies.
The SeaPORT Miniature Gas Chromatograph system includes chemical separation by gas chromatography (GC) to aid in correctly identifying detected toxic chemicals and can become a critical tool in protecting the health and safety of first responders and innocent people that live, work, and play near clandestine drug laboratories.
Phase III Impacts
Seacoast Science received $1.8M from the U.S. Army Research Office to further develop its technology, including spinoff products and applications. Additionally, Seacoast Science's SeaPORT Mini GC was named as one of CONNECT's Most Innovative New Products for 2007.
