Compact, Lightweight Chemical Sensor for Underwater Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Application Navy SBIR FY2009.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2009.1 Topic No.: N091-046 Topic Title: Compact, Lightweight Chemical Sensor for Underwater Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Application Proposal No.: N091-046-1027 Firm: SubChem Systems, Inc. 65 Pier Road Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882 Contact: Scott Veitch Phone: (401) 783-4744 Web Site: www.subchem.com Abstract: SubChem Systems Inc. has been involved in the further development, deployment and commercialization of autonomous in-situ chemical analyzers and custom engineered payloads since 1996. SubChem Analyzers have been deployed on commercial AUVs, coastal gliders, autonomous moored vertical profilers, fixed moored structures and other ocean observation platforms. The overall objective of this funding will be to provide a conceptual design of a Diver held chemical sensor capable of sensing chemical/explosive signatures focusing on nitro-based explosives. The requirements needed of the sensor for integration to the DHINS, HULS and BULS systems will also be documented. SubChem Systems maintains the expertise to provide an assessment of several chemical sensing techniques which may be applicable to the sensing of explosives underwater to be applied to the conceptual design. SubChem is currently developing a Miniature Chemical Sensor, ChemFIN, for the detection of trace levels of explosives and other target chemicals. This sensor couples a unique micro-fluidic technology providing a low cost, low power, and platform independent architecture. Funding from this Phase 1 effort will produce a conceptual adaptation to a Diver Held ChemFIN. This variant will incorporate an applicable sensing technology for localization and classification of nitrate-based (TNT,DNT) and potentially peroxide-based (TATP,HMTD) chemical/explosive mixtures. Benefits: SubChem Systems, Inc. is a for-profit small business with the goal of developing and commercializing technology that provides solutions for marine and freshwater environmental monitoring and offers submersible chemical analyzers for water quality monitoring. SubChem Systems also provides collaborators with the necessary tools to transition chemical sensing technology to the real-world environment with practical applications. The successful completion of this effort will yield a conceptual design of a diver held marine vessel hull and submerged structure inspection device to which could be prototyped then marketed through SubChem Systems. This will introduce the company into new commercial markets such as Homeland Security, military special operations, maritime security, as well as research dive markets for environmental monitoring and exploration. Currently, SubChem Systems does not offer a diver deployable sensor but offers a multi-channel sensor payload for autonomous underwater vehicles (i.e. REMUS100), which is adaptable to other platform applications. Return