AP4C | PROENGIN SAS | WMD Detector Selector

General Description
The handheld chemical detector AP4C is able to detect an extended range of chemicals. All dangerous compounds containing Sulphur, Phosphorus, Arsenic, and/or the HNO chemical liaison can be detected in a simultaneous way. AP4C has been designed for use on the field by either Armed Forces or first responders to detect Chemical Warfare Agents and/or TICs. Of course, the AP4C has the capacity to work in very severe environmental conditions and the measurements are unaffected by high humidity levels or by presence of other organic chemical compounds such as paint. The AP4C can run in highly explosive areas. The AP4C technology allows the simultaneous detection of an unlimited number of gases (identification of the constituting chemical elements): impure agents or chemicals manufactured by terrorists that would not fit into traditional libraries of other detectors

all nerve, blister, blood and vomiting agents (detection well below the levels of danger to human health) precursors and derivative, as well as new agents that will be developed in the future, with no need for any upgrade.

The response time is among the shortest on the market but what makes the AP4C unique is the recovery time after a positive detection. Where other detectors may take long minutes or hours after a positive detection or pollution by chemicals, AP4C will be ready after some seconds whatever the level of contamination. Other available functions are:

internal memory storage (last hours events under operation)
data download (ATP45 format)
wireless connection

Technical Description
AP4C detection is based upon Flame Photometry Detection (FPD), detection of the physical signature of the chemical atoms and bonds within the products and compounds. AP4C sucks the air, burns all gas and particles in. It thus provides energy to the electrons that get onto upper levels of energy. When these electrons go back to their standard energy levels, they emit the consequent energy by emission of a photon (light), which wavelength (color) is specific of the atomic/molecular orbital. And AP4C immediately detects and analyses this light, looking for Phosphorus, Sulfur, Arsenic or HNO signatures. This is the way AP4C detects all products containing Phosphorus, Sulfur, Arsenic or HNO (cyanides derivatives), these compounds being part of dangerous products like Chemical Warfare Agents or Toxic Industrial Compounds/Material. This technology is sensitive, reliable (no false positive, no false negative alarm), not sensitive to humidity, temperature or mixture of compounds. AP4C requires no service and nearly no maintenance, it is userfriendly. AP4C includes no filter, AP4C is able to be operational less than 3 minutes after a positive detection (middle scale concentration), following NATO requirements. Since FPD is not based on any database but relies upon signature detection, each AP4C is able to detect and measure concentration for the full list of agents:

33 out of 33 CWA schedule 1 from Chemical Warfare Convention (64 out of 69 all categories)
42 more TICs (NATO ITF-25 list)

AP4C offers the widest range of detected products, with the best on field reliability.

Evaluation Criteria

THROUGHPUT:

Detection is instantaneous
Continuous operation with no defined runs
System is continuous and provides real time analysis with no defined tests/samples
The system or device is currently fully automated
Device or system is intended for multiple detection assays
0-1 solutions, buffer, eluents, and/or reagents
1 component
Less than 5 minutes is required for setup
Automatic detection

LOGISTICS:

Very brief (minutes-hours) training and minimal technical skills
Approximately the size of a toaster
Between 1 and 5 kg
Wireless and wired connections are available
System or device uses batteries
Battery life

OPERATIONS:

Can be used from < -21°C to > 42°C (All temperatures)
This system does not require consumable components
Performance is not influenced by relative humidity
Greater than 10 years expected life
Results can be viewed in real-time
The system or device is currently fully autonomous
The system software is closed and not available for modification
The system hardware is closed and not available for modification

DETECTION:

Possible the system could receive 510K clearance, no current efforts at this time
Possible the system could receive FDA approval, no current efforts at this time
Less than 10 µL
Superior specificity. System has a false alarm rate approaching zero (~0%)
> 1x10-3 mg/m3
1 ppb – 1 ppm

Tier Selection