PALO ALTO, Calif., 27 January 2005. Agilent Technologies Inc. today announced it has been awarded a $930,000 Phase I research grant by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA). The purpose of the award is to facilitate the research and development of a next-generation chemical-agent detection system.
Agilent was one of 40 organizations selected for this award from among more than 125 proposals submitted to HSARPA.
As a recipient of this award, Agilent will contribute to the first phase of projects related to the development of an Autonomous Rapid Facility Chemical Agent Monitor (ARFCAM). ARFCAM will be designed to monitor enclosed areas, such as government buildings and transportation facilities, for chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial compounds (TICs).
The goal is to develop a system with the following characteristics:
-- Continuous, automated operation in any enclosed environment,
-- Ability to detect a wide range of toxic chemicals including blood, nerve, choking and blister agents, as well as TICs,
-- High sensitivity to detect and identify agents with minimal false positive or false negative results, and
-- Very low cost of ownership.
The award is funded by HSARPA through its Detection Systems for Biological and Chemical Countermeasures program. The goal of this program is to develop, test and commercialize next-generation biological and chemical detectors that can effectively counter potential biological and chemical attacks.
Agilent Technologies Inc. is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. For more information see www.agilent.com.
