SBIR-STTR Award

Switchable Surfaces for Vapor Stream Concentration(1001-344)
Award last edited on: 3/3/2024

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : CBD
Total Award Amount
$1,819,659
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
CBD09-106
Principal Investigator
Ken Mahmud

Company Information

Triton Systems Inc (AKA: TSI~Triton Systems LLC)

330 Billerica Road Suite 200
Chelmsford, MA 01824
   (978) 250-4200
   information@tritonsystems.com
   www.tritonsys.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 03
County: Middlesex

Phase I

Contract Number: W911S6-09-C-0005
Start Date: 6/15/2009    Completed: 12/15/2009
Phase I year
2009
Phase I Amount
$69,913
Trace detection usually requires a vapor concentrator that collects dilute analytes from a vapor sample and delivers them at a higher concentration to the detector. For humid vapor streams, cryogenic vapor concentrators can be unacceptable due to the condensation of water. Many adsorbent vapor collectors have the disadvantage of long sampling times and sometimes require desorption temperatures that can fragment heat-sensitive compounds. Triton Systems is developing a non-cryogenic, small-form-factor vapor concentrator that is able to adsorb either polar or non-polar analytes from a vapor sample. Fast desorption of the collected molecules is initiated with an electrical signal instead of heating. Triton Systems will demonstrate the functionality of its vapor concentrator concept by coupling the device to a detector and measuring known levels of trace chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulant vapors. An analysis will be done to correlate the performance of the vapor concentrator to major system parameters, including the vapor concentrator area, analyte concentration, vapor stream flow rate, temperature, and humidity. The results of this analysis will be used to optimize the design of a prototype that will be fabricated and implemented in Phase II for measuring the permeation of CWA through protective clothing materials.

Keywords:
Vapor Concentrator, Non-Cryogenic, Detector, Point Detection, Trace Detection, Chemical Warfare Agents, Biological Warfare Agents, Explosives

Phase II

Contract Number: W911S6-10-C-0011
Start Date: 6/15/2010    Completed: 6/15/2012
Phase II year
2010
(last award dollars: 2018)
Phase II Amount
$1,749,746

Trace detection usually requires a vapor concentrator that collects dilute analytes from a vapor sample and delivers them at a higher concentration to the detector. Conventional vapor concentrators tend to use either cryogenics, where vapors are concentrated on a cooled surface and then desorbed via flash heating, or sorbent technology, such as zeolites, where vapors are absorbed before flash-heat desorption. For humid vapor streams, cryogenic vapor concentrators can cause unacceptable condensation of water. Many sorbent-based vapor concentrators have the disadvantage of long cycle times and sometimes require desorption temperatures high enough to fragment heat-sensitive compounds. Triton Systems is developing a non-cryogenic, small-form-factor vapor concentrator that is able to selectively adsorb polar and non-polar analytes from a vapor sample. Customization for selective concentration of more specific classes of analytes is also possible. Fast desorption of the concentrated analyte is near instantaneous and the process is highly repeatable. The method avoids lengthy diffusion, enabling short cycle times. This Phase II program will culminate in a prototype tested with multiple CWA simulants and interferents. Miniaturized designs will be made to ensure easy coupling of the unit to any benchtop trace detector, as well as integration with some handheld detectors.

Keywords:
Vapor Concentrator, Non-Cryogenic, Detector, Point Detection, Trace Detection, Chemical Warfare Agents, Biological Warfare Agents, Explosives