TOSSIT: Tactical Optical Spherical Sensor for Interrogating Threats
Category: Analytical/Test
Developers: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Product Description:The Tactical Optical Spherical Sensor for Interrogating Threats is a throwable chemical sensor that rapidly and remotely determines the presence of hazardous chemical vapors and aerosols. Its form is customizable (ball, box, drone-mounted, starburst flare) and costs less than competing sensors currently in the marketplace. According to the submitters, TOSSIT appears to be the only low-cost, low-SWaP sensor that can detect and identify vapors as well as liquid and solid aerosol chemical agents, unlike other technologies that are limited to chemical vapor threats and do not have the ability to be kinetically positioned downrange and away from personnel. TOSSIT draws in chemical vapors for analysis via colorimetric chemical detection. Aerosol particles are similarly drawn in to impact onto a chemically responsive sensing layer that allows for solid particles to initiate a colorimetric chemical reaction. The TOSSIT system can perform these analyses in a baseball-sized form factor for less than $200 per unit. Its vapor detection capability has been tested extensively in the field and is currently being transferred for military uses. The aerosol capability is under development and has successfully been used to detect finely ground solid amine particles that were dispersed in a carrier gas stream in laboratory testing.
Developers: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Product Description:The Tactical Optical Spherical Sensor for Interrogating Threats is a throwable chemical sensor that rapidly and remotely determines the presence of hazardous chemical vapors and aerosols. Its form is customizable (ball, box, drone-mounted, starburst flare) and costs less than competing sensors currently in the marketplace. According to the submitters, TOSSIT appears to be the only low-cost, low-SWaP sensor that can detect and identify vapors as well as liquid and solid aerosol chemical agents, unlike other technologies that are limited to chemical vapor threats and do not have the ability to be kinetically positioned downrange and away from personnel. TOSSIT draws in chemical vapors for analysis via colorimetric chemical detection. Aerosol particles are similarly drawn in to impact onto a chemically responsive sensing layer that allows for solid particles to initiate a colorimetric chemical reaction. The TOSSIT system can perform these analyses in a baseball-sized form factor for less than $200 per unit. Its vapor detection capability has been tested extensively in the field and is currently being transferred for military uses. The aerosol capability is under development and has successfully been used to detect finely ground solid amine particles that were dispersed in a carrier gas stream in laboratory testing.
