Universal agent sensor for counterproliferation applications

Technologies to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by rogue governments and international terrorist organizations are a top national priority. One of the top development requirements is for highly sensitive and specific detection technologies for biological warfare agents. This article describes the development of sensors for field detection of weapons of mass destruction using an advanced time-of-flight mass spectrometer system. This sensor system has the potential to provide high speed, sensitivity, and specificity across a wide range of biological agents, chemical agents, explosives, and contraband materials. In addition, the system is being engineered to be rugged, small, lightweight, and low power so that it can be deployable in the field.