Air Force Research Laboratory scientists are working with University of Michigan and Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) researchers to build and test a revolutionary chemical sensing device that can detect acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) associated with COVID-19 deaths.
Under IARPA’s molecular analyzer for efficient gas-phase low-power interrogation (MAEGLIN) program, AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate and 711th Human Performance Wing researchers, along with University of Michigan scientists, are making modifications to an existing gas analysis system based on a small gas chromatograph (micro-GC) from MAEGLIN.
The MAEGLIN program is developing an ultra-low power chemical analysis system for remote site detection and identification of explosives, chemical weapons, industrial toxins and pollutants, narcotics, and nuclear materials in the presence of significant background and interferents by analyzing air samples. This portable system is sufficiently compact to enable several practical applications, both military and civilian. For example, it can continuously and remotely monitor areas prone to industrial pollution or can be carried by warfighters in the field to avoid unseen explosives.
Now it has one more use: sampling air exhaled by patients stricken with COVID-19.
