Award Data

Efficient aerosol collectors are needed to help detect very low concentrations of lethal pathogens, such as Anthrax bacilli, in air. Although existing wetted wall cyclone aerosol collectors can remove a substantial fraction of particulates from a large vo

Organophosphorus chemical warfare nerve agents (OP-CWA) are attractive to terrorist groups and rogue states as an inexpensive and accessible technology for chemical warfare. OP-CWA and organophosphate pesticides cause severe neurological symptoms and death by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE); the resulting excess acetylcholine accumulates and overstimulates the human or animal bo ...

Chemical imaging sensors require focal plane arrays (FPAs) incorporating long wavelength infrared (LWIR) detectors suitable for hyperspectral detection. These detectors require high sensitivity to account for the low photon counts in narrow wavelength bands. The required sensitivity elevates the associated costs, so a need exists for a lower cost LWIR FPA for use with chemical imaging sensors. The ...

Current toxicity testing of foodstuffs involves mass spectrometry analysis which requires a>24 h turnaround time in deployed military operations. This length of time is dangerous for personnel. Rapid identification of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) in food using a sensor that is biologically-based and easy to use eliminates that danger and would provide exactly what is needed for toxicity eva ...

Ventilation systems are extremely venerable to incidental and malicious attacks by terrorists and saboteurs. During attacks by chemical and biological weapons, personnel in temporary and permanent shelters are dependent on a constant supply of clean air. Consequently, the main objective of the proposed work is to develop a microwave low-temperature catalytic oxidation system that will effectively ...

Currently, the accepted standard experimental model for measuring protective efficacy against botulism is the Mouse Lethality Neutralization (MLN) assay. Botulism poisoning is a life threatening condition that is not only a public health concern, but could also be a potential biological weapon. With seven serotypes of botulinum neurotoxins, there is need for an alternative to the MLN assay due t ...

We propose a metamaterial-enhanced microbolometer with strong absorption over a narrow band that is dynamically tunable over the 8-10 micron band. A single-layer photonic metamaterial consisting of a thin metal film perforated with a 2-D array of dielectric apertures will be deposited on an amorphous-Silicon layer acting as an absorber and bolometer. The metamaterial, in conjunction with planar di ...

Mimosa Acoustics will develop a portable binaural audiological device, based on our successful HearID system. HearID is a clinical system for otoacoustic emission and middle-ear power analysis testing; it is FDA and CE-marked. The new system will have the ability to conduct a variety of audiological tests especially for use in hearing-conservation programs, including: flexible otoacoustic emission ...

The control of pain, anxiety, discomfort, and the sequellae of injury and illness is an over-arching healthcare issue in both military and civilian settings. Current strategies for pain relief, sedation and anesthesia involve infusion of intravenous agen