Colorimetric chemical sensors are some of the simplest and low-cost sensors available to the End User today. Advancements in small, chip-based optical readout packages, coupled with low-power electronics and wireless communications modules, have allowed for the development of a hands-free colorimetry-based chemical sensor that effectively acts as self-reading M8 paper that responds to vapor-phase chemical threats. We have designed a self-contained, throwable and reusable prototype (TOSSIT – the Tactical Optical Spherical Sensor for Interrogating Threats) that can be used by the End User, acting as a remote point vapor sensor to provide early warning of a chemical threat. The TOSSIT sensor has wireless capability to let the user know what is the current alarm state of the device. These prototypes have been tested against toxic industrial chemical (TIC) vapors in the lab and have undergone surety testing against select chemical agent threats. Other mission areas under consideration include perimeter defense using the sensor in unobtrusive packaging as well as wide area deployment by aerial assets.
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