ClearAlert: a fieldable sensor for rapid autonomous detection of solid and aerosol fentanils

There is an unmet need for fieldable solutions to monitor synthetic opioids in the environment. Exposure to an amount of fentanyl equivalent to a single grain of sand can be lethal. These powerful and illicit drugs are easily acquired in large quantities in communities around the U.S. and can become aerosolized by accident or intentionally by terrorist organizations. As long as this threat exists, there is risk of mass casualties from inhalation with little or no warning. Clear Scientific has developed ClearAlert, a compact deployable sensing system capable of providing Command and Control with critical real time information related to environmental toxicity in the presence of aerosolized fentanils. ClearAlert’s proprietary class-based sensing technology can detect sub-microgram quantities of powdered and aerosolized fentanils, including fentanyl, remifentanil, and carfentanil, while resisting common environmental interferents, such as smoke, dust, and cutting agents (e.g., lactose and mannitol). Equipped with a robust communications suite (LTE, WiFi, LoRa, Bluetooth, and Iridium Sat), ClearAlert has two mission-dependent form factors for increased versatility, the ClearAlert Remote Deployable Sensor (CARDS) System and the ClearAlert Wearable, an on-body PPE device. Both systems can be used individually or networked together for use in geofencing applications as an inconspicuous monitoring tool for rapid threat detection and asset monitoring. With low SWaP specifications, CARDS is also ideal for integration into aerial, ground robotics, and maritime platforms, providing at least 15 hours of continuous remote environmental monitoring and aerosol threat identification with subsequent reporting to command and control using state-of-the-art situational awareness technology.