908 Devices to power next-generation chemical detector tools
908 Devices, a pioneer of purpose-built analytical devices for chemical analysis, today announced that its patented High-Pressure Mass SpectrometryTM (HPMS) has been selected to move forward in the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Chemical Detector (NGCD) program. The contract supports the Army’s Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) defense programs.
Teaming for the NGCD program with Smiths Detection Inc., a worldwide leader and proven integrator for large-scale military detection deployments, the two companies will jointly move into the next phase of technology development and testing. This Option I award, from the Joint Project Manager for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Contamination Avoidance, is a major milestone within the overall requirements for this program.
The NGCD program will provide capabilities to detect and identify Non-Traditional Agents (NTAs), Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs), Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs), and other hazards in the air and on surfaces in all states of matter (aerosol, liquid, solid and vapor). NGCD is expected to be one of the largest CBRN equipment procurement contracts in the world.
“We believe HPMS technology plays a key role in the future of threat detection,” said Dr. Kevin J. Knopp, President and CEO, 908 Devices. “We are thrilled to be part of the U.S. Army’s plan for next generation detectors. Our technology platform detects a broad range of priority threats in the presence of complex backgrounds and is suited to a variety of product form factors to meet specific mission sets.”
908 Devices’ high-pressure approach to mass spectrometry is the first of its kind, enabling technology considered the “gold standard” of the laboratory to be deployed in a rugged handheld form factor. Unlike other analytical techniques, mass spectrometry measures the mass of charged molecules providing extraordinary sensitivity and selectivity. This allows for rapid detection and identification of chemical threats even in the presence of background interferents. HPMS refers to mass spectrometry without the need for the extreme vacuum required by a conventional mass spectrometer, enabling the device to become smaller and be powered more efficiently. Demonstrating these capabilities is the company’s flagship product, M908, employing HPMS to provide civilian users, first responders and military teams with unique capabilities for chemical analysis in the field.
