1st Detect Corporation has announced it is the recipient of a Phase I award from the U.S. Army's Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The award will go to the development of a novel sample inlet system to significantly improve the sensitivity of mass spectrometers.

"1st Detect is proud to receive this SBIR award from the U.S. Army as it clearly demonstrates the successful commercial transition of a space based technology," commented John Porter, chief executive officer for the Company.

The Chemical and Biological Defense Small Business Innovation Research Program was created to develop and transition innovative CBD technologies between the Department of Defense and the private sector for mutual benefit. The program targets those technology efforts that maximize a strong defensive posture in a biological or chemical environment using passive and active means as deterrents.

"The development of this new technology will greatly enhance the military's ability to detect chemical threats by increasing the sensitivity of mass spectrometers by orders of magnitude," added David Rafferty, president and chief technology officer for 1st Detect.

With this grant, 1st Detect will build on its existing technology to develop a sample inlet system that will improve the ability to detect chemicals using a mass spectrometer. Upon meeting certain milestones and establishing project feasibility, the work may lead to a Phase II SBIR project to develop a prototype.