Block MEMS wins Army SBIR Phase II enhancement contract for LaserScan

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., 5 March 2012. Block MEMS won an Army Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II enhancement contract for its LaserScan next-generation spectrometer using tunable mid-infrared (IR) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). This new contract follows Block's previous Phase II Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) award.

"The focus of this new award will be on enhancing the LaserScan's capabilities through the development of novel chemical recognition algorithms. These algorithms will enable LaserScan to detect liquid and solid chemical warfare agents and other emerging chemical threats, from a standoff distance on a variety of substrates," says Petros Kotidis, CEO of Block MEMS.

LaserScan detects and measures substances on surfaces from a standoff distance of 6 inches to 2 feet. It identifies bulk materials and detects sub-micron films based on mid-IR absorption characteristics. Applications include: detection of explosive materials, traditional and nontraditional chemical agents, biological agents, and toxic industrial chemicals.

LaserScan also analyzes gases and liquids. An alternate version of the device is designed to interface with common FTIR accessories, including liquid and gas cells, fiber-optic probes, and reflectance accessories. The LaserScan can also be outfitted to function as an IR microscope.