Field Speciation of Ultrafine to Coarse Particulate - SBIR Topic DHA26BZ03-NV006

Funding Amount:

Est. $300,000

Deadline to Apply:

July 22nd, 2026

Objective:

Develop and demonstrate the efficacy of a fieldable capability to identify the chemical composition of ultrafine, fine and coarse particulate ranging from 0.01 microns (10 nanometers) to 10 microns.

Description:

This SBIR topic aligns with the DHA Environmental Exposures Toxic Injury Prevention Roadmap, specifically focusing on enhanced tools and assessment methodology for acute and chronic exposure to military-relevant chemicals, materials, and hazards.

The DoW requires the capability to comprehensively characterize particulate composition in situ in the field to replace current methods which require samples to be collected and sent to a reach back laboratory. Particulate exposure is correlated with exacerbating asthma, cardiopulmonary disease and systemic effects (1-2). Chemical composition is important to correlate exposure with health impact (1-2). Particulates of interest for monitoring in the DoW are broad and include those generated from both environmental and occupational sources. The primary chemical classes of interest include biological, carbonaceous (i.e. soot) and metals. Particulates are generated at relatively high concentrations from maintenance processes and high intensity processes such as weapons firing, engine emissions and fires. Particulates generated from maintenance processes can be present in a broad size range depending on the nature of the process, while the peak size of particulates generated during high intensity processes are often less than 0.1 microns (100 nanometers) (3). In outdoor environments, particulates pick up additional contaminants, such as biological materials (4). There are methods available to collect particulates and submit for laboratory analysis, but methods to characterize particulate composition on-site in field environments are limited in the ability to detect all class of interest (carbonaceous, metals, biologicals) and all size fractions (ultrafine, fine, coarse).

Developing a comprehensive detection capability for ultrafine particulates is a critical investment in the long-term readiness and well-being of the force. Standard monitoring equipment often fails to detect submicron particles, which pose a medical threat due to their ability to penetrate the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Service members operating in environments such as burn pits, flightlines/flight decks, or industrial maintenance facilities may be exposed to hazardous concentrations without warning, leading to systemic inflammation, cardiovascular stress, and respiratory toxicity. Proactive, quantitative surveillance provides data to allow commanders to make informed decisions to protect the force, enables preventative medicine personnel to mitigate hazards, and creates a permanent exposure data health record essential for future service member and veteran health care.

The novel materiel solution desired is a field portable capability to characterize the chemical composition of ultrafine, fine and coarse particulate ranging from 0.01 microns (10 nanometers) to 10 microns. The priority is for the device to differentiate between carbonaceous, metal, water vapor and biological particulate. However, additional speciation of elemental versus organic carbon, specific metals, minerals and biologicals is also desired. The sensitivity of the device must be low enough to be compatible with field relevant concentrations (size-dependent, available in literature referenced). The response from sample collection to reporting must be real-time or near real-time (< 10 minutes). The device must integrate a simple user-interface and calibration capability, require minimal input from the user and produce data output which can be easily interpreted. The device must also be ruggedized to meet requirements in MIL-STD-810H (5). Reliance on consumable materials such as working fluids should be minimized. Both onboard and wireless data transmission capability must be integrated into the device. Device cost threshold should target <$50K per unit to ensure practicable transition.

PHASE I

The Phase I effort will focus on a determination of a technological approach and proof of feasibility for developing a field portable capability to characterize the chemical composition of ultrafine, fine and coarse particulate ranging from 0.01 microns (10 nanometers) to 10 microns that will at a minimum differentiate between carbonaceous, metal, and biological particulate, as well as water vapor droplets. Additional speciation of specific metals would be highly beneficial. The ability to sample particulate in the ultrafine to coarse size ranges and differentiate composition in each size class is a requirement and shall be incorporated into the design. The feasibility analysis can include a review of currently available technology and analysis of components that can be combined and miniaturized while maintaining performance. The technical approach description shall also include an analysis of strategies for maximizing accuracy and stability in a broad range of environments and minimizing complexity, as well as a preliminary design. An integrated solution and design for field accuracy checks with minimal consumables and logistics requirements shall also be included.

PHASE II

The Phase II effort will include the development of at least two prototype devices and a robust performance evaluation to determine accuracy when exposed to particulate emission sources at a broad range of environmental conditions, including -26 to +109 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 to 95% humidity (see MIL-STD-810H). The devices must also be evaluated for ruggedness. The size and weight of the device must be minimized to less than 2000 cubic feet and less than 30 pounds. Detection accuracy, consistency, response time and stability over time as a function of particulate source and concentration across both devices should be evaluated. The operational range for temperature, humidity and pressure should be evaluated and reported. Phase II shall also include the development of a plan for scaling the manufacturing of the device with an estimated cost per unit. Finally, the ability to confirm detection accuracy in the field must be demonstrated.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS

The envisioned end state is a field portable capability to characterize the chemical composition of ultrafine, fine and coarse particulate ranging from 0.01 microns (10 nanometers) to 10 microns that can be sold commercially as a standalone device. To achieve this end state, phase III efforts should include further hardware refinement for manufacturability, software refinement to ensure useability and technology demonstration in a broad range of field environments and conditions. Development of both private and military sectors shall be investigated. Commercial applications where this capability may be used include occupational exposure assessments to assess and document worker exposure in maintenance facilities, construction sites, firing ranges, emergency response sites, flightlines and medical facilities. Military applications include occupational exposure assessments (i.e. compliance monitoring) and will be primarily tailed for acute threat warning and assessment in alignment with military medical modernization requirements.

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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