SAW devices to help with explosives detection

RF Monolithics is participating in a Small Business Innovation Research contract to develop an improved system to detect improvised explosive devices.

RF Monolithics' Wireless Systems Group is participating in a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract awarded to Nanotherapeutics to develop an improved system to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The contract's potential value is $2.4 million, if all deliverables are elected, and of that amount RF Monolithics could provide up to $950,000 in services and products.

Nanotherapeutics has developed a unique and patented method of detecting trace amounts of certain non-nitrogen-based explosives that can be used to safely detect bombs by the military and the Department of Homeland Security.

The Nanotherapeutics method uses a unique, portable, rapid gas chromatography system to detect IEDs.

The system was successfully demonstrated in a prior project and uses surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices manufactured by RF Monolithics as sensors for specific IED materials, such as triacetone-triperoxide (TATP), which was recently implicated in the London bombings.

Nanotherapeutics has received this new, second phase SBIR contract from the Office of Naval Research to refine, field test and commercialise the Nanotherapeutics explosives detection system.

In addition to commercialising Nanotherapeutics' invention, RF Monolithics will be adding wireless mesh network capability to the system to create a field-deployable array of explosive sensing devices.

"Nanotherapeutics' fundamental innovation is an important addition to our country's war on terrorism, and we are proud to have our Wireless Systems Group working closely with them to make this solution available", said David Kirk, President and CEO of RF Monolithics.

"This relationship uses the full range of our technologies, from SAW device sensors to wireless mesh networking to volume manufacturing".

"We are excited to have RF Monolithics in the technology and commercialisation end of this project", said James D Talton, PhD, Chief Science Officer of Nanotherapeutics: "The contributions from a strong public company like RF Monolithics add value to the innovative, proprietary inventions that we have made in this important area for the nation's security".

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