Chemical/Biological Decontamination

RTA Systems, Incorporated and their teaming partner, Terra Environmental Products Company (TEPCO) propose to develop a novel, spray-applied, water-based, two-part liquid formulation that can effectively clean Chemical/Biological (CB) agents from the surface of materials/parts and components and securely encapsulate or microencapsulate the agent within seconds. This CB Microencapsulating Decontamination System (CB-MICAP) will dry out by evaporation of water into small, sand-like microcapsules. The microcapsules will remain stable and will not leach or desorb the encapsulated agents for extended periods even after exposure to water. In the Phase I program, we will explore methods of modifying TEPCO's existing TERRACAPT microencapsulation formula, which has already been demonstrated to be effective against a variety of organic chemicals. Preliminary data indicates that it is also effective against a biological agent simulant. Modifications will focus on improving the formulation's efficacy to CB decontamination of materials/parts/components. Experiments in the Phase I program will focus on testing various formulation variables in bulk solution experiments. The Phase II program will evaluate spray application of the CB-MICAP formulation to materials/parts/components.