US firm Battelle aims to revolutionize biological threat detection in military environments with its new technological breakthrough.
At its core, the system is a specialized liquid that can be sprayed onto surfaces and produces a visible color change when it encounters hazardous agents.
According to the Ohio-based company, this approach could deliver an immediate, clear visual indication of its presence without requiring additional or specialized equipment.
Unlike conventional platforms that only provide a general presence of contamination, the technology can be tailored to identify specific substances.
The detection capability relies on a proprietary protein-based formulation that binds to targeted threats and produces a visual signal.
Developed initially for military applications, the technology could potentially also be used for hospital infection control and food safety monitoring.
“Our work began with biothreat characterization… but it has expanded into sensor development focused on how to detect these threats quickly and reliably,” said David Glasbrenner, a senior molecular geneticist at Battelle.
“By applying a liquid spray to a surface, users can see a color change with the naked eye if a threat is present. That simplicity is what makes the approach so powerful.”
Meeting DTRA Needs
The liquid was intended to address the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s needs.
Battelle in May showcased the technology at Scout 26 at Camp Dawson, which was attended by representatives from the US Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, and National Guard.
“Every warfighter has different needs — whether it’s lighting, ruggedness, size, or spray coverage,” Glasbrenner added.
“Events like Scout 26 are critical for ensuring we’re building a solution that works across diverse operational environments.”
