Submission of proposals
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)
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| U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)
A00-028 TITLE: Device to Extract Biological Organisms from Contaminated Surfaces TECHNOLOGY AREAS: OBJECTIVE: Design a sampling device to quantitatively recover microbiological contamination deposited on common surfaces. DESCRIPTION: Testing of equipment, materials and operational procedures to assess the quantity of contamination/decontamination on surfaces requires reliable sampling methods. Currently, certain commercially available devices such as contact slide (Ref.1), culturette (Ref. 2) have shown satisfactory reproducibility when used on smooth surfaces. However, their practical application for uneven surfaces has been inconsistent. Swabbing the contaminated area using a wet swab has shown comparatively better consistency (3). However, individual variation frequently causes inconsistency. Often, minute changes in the size of the swab area create faulty results. In general there is no standardized sampling technique available. This makes comparison of the results very difficult. The need for a mechanical device to collect samples is therefore warranted. The device should be capable of extracting the samples from a variety of uneven contaminated surfaces like concrete, carpet, office panels, or upholstery. It should be able to remove bacterial contamination when the suspected material is dried up on the surface. The device should be able to collect contamination from a typical area of 2" X2" and suspend it in a 5-10 ml buffer for further processing. Extraction of the contaminated surface using a liquid simultaneously with mechanical force is a suggested method for quantitative removal of the contamination. This device should work on both vertical and horizontal and should be suitable for use in the field. It must have easily-determined collection efficiency ( 90%) and maintain the viability of microorganisms collected. PHASE I: Design a device to extract the bacterial spores from an approximate area of 2- 4 square inches. The bacteria should be viable in the extracted sample. Fabricate a prototype and perform bench level testing to define and validate the performance of the sampling device. PHASE II: Once Phase I is completed, the performance and reliability of the device will be tested under expected field use conditions to determine the applicability of the device to supporting biological defense system testing programs. COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: This device may have commercial application for sample collection in chem/bio-terrorism scenes, sweat sample from body surface for clinical studies, crime scenes etc. References: 1. Contact Slide TC ( Art.No. 931050): for determination of total counts on surfaces Biotest AG., Landsteinerstr.5, D-633303 Dreieich, Germany 2. Culturette(R) Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems, Sparks, MD 21152 3. SWIPE Surface Bio-Sampling Kit, work in progress at U. S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center by Dr. Peter Emmanuel. KEYWORDS: Chemical/biological sampler, extraction, sampling device
A00-029 TITLE: Remote Detection of Hazardous Chemicals TECHNOLOGY AREAS: OBJECTIVE: Design and build a man portable, active optical device for the remote detection of hazardous chemical vapors and residues from clandestine laboratory operations DESCRIPTION: Clandestine laboratories produce illegal drugs through the chemical synthesis of precursors, reagents and solvents. These illicit laboratories are extremely dangerous because of the hazardous chemicals used for the extraction of the finished product. Strong acids such as muriatic, sulfuric and hydriodic are usually present along with strong bases including sodium hydroxide and ammonia. Volatile elements such as sodium, lithium metal and red phosphorus are also sometimes used. Organic solvents such as ether, chloroform, acetone and alcohols are almost always used. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations require that clandestine lab investigators be fully certified as hazardous waste responders. Entry into a clandestine lab to asses the area for chemical hazard requires full personal chemical protection. These areas are extremely dangerous and potentially deadly to criminal investigators. The dangers after fire or explosion are compounded since containers have been destroyed and chemical agents dispersed. Processing chemicals with vapors heavier than air settle in depressed areas making them difficult to detect. This environment is even more hazardous for canines trained to alert on fire accelerants. Volatile hydrocarbon solvents will fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The remote detection of these compounds via their fluorescing properties and other potential fluorescing by-products of clandestine labs such as Phospine gas will greatly assist in initial hazard assessment, thus helping to ensure the safety and personal health of the investigators. PHASE I: Characterize fluorescence phenomena in materials under laboratory and field conditions that are used in clandestine laboratory operations; develop prototype design concepts and evaluate key system components. PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype unit PHASE III: Downsize to man portable unit. The development of this technology will be advantageous in both military and law enforcement applications. It will allow for the remote detection of hazardous reagents, thereby identifying clandestine narcotics operations and preventing unnecessary contamination and increased safety for civilian law enforcement and National Guardsmen assigned to counterdrug task forces. Use of this technology can be expanded to chemical agent verification on the battlefield, tracking of airborne toxins from chemical weapons disposal or destruction, and identification of petroleum spills and leaks. REFERENCES: Office of National Drug Control Policy, National Methamphetamine Conference, Omaha, Neb; May 28-30, 1997 Regional Counterdrug Training Academy, Naval Air Station, Meridian, MS "Clandestine Laboratory Investigations" November 2-6, 1998 Encyclopedia of Analytical Instrumentation, "Laser Induced Fluorescence", 1996-97; Science Hypermedia, Inc. KEYWORDS: Fluorescence, Biological, Chemical Agent, Remote Detection, Clandestine Laboratories, Airborne Toxins Download 1.22 Mb. Share with your friends:
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