Field Speciation of Ultrafine to Coarse Particulate

The DHA26BZ03-NV006 solicitation seeks to develop a field-portable device capable of identifying the chemical composition of ultrafine to coarse particulate matter (0.01 to 10 microns). This aligns with the DHA Environmental Exposures Toxic Injury Prevention Roadmap, aiming to replace current lab-based methods with in-situ characterization. The device must differentiate between carbonaceous, metal, water vapor, and biological particulates, with a preference for further speciation. Key requirements include real-time or near real-time response, a simple user interface, ruggedization to MIL-STD-810H standards, minimal consumables, onboard and wireless data transmission, and a target cost under $50K per unit. The objective is to provide proactive, quantitative surveillance for military personnel exposed to hazardous particulates in environments like burn pits and flightlines, enabling informed decisions, hazard mitigation, and comprehensive health records. Phase I focuses on feasibility and design, Phase II on prototype development and robust performance evaluation in diverse environmental conditions, and Phase III on commercialization for both military and private sector applications, including occupational exposure assessments.