IARPA-RFI-22-05 C.pdf

Identification of Chemical Species in Aerosols

Request for Information: Identification of Chemical Species in Aerosols

RFI Number: IARPA-RFI-22-05

Agency: Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Office: Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity

IARPA-RFI-22-05

Synopsis:

Request for Information (RFI): Identification of Chemical Species in Aerosols

The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) seeks information regarding innovative approaches to detect and identify aerosolized chemicals of interest, such as chemical warfare agents (CWAs), explosives, toxins/pollutants, and pharmaceutical-based agents (PBAs).

The need to rapidly identify aerosols is vital to national security1--3 because many chemical threats are dispersed as aerosols, such as mustard gas, tear gas, and explosions caused by liquid/solid flammable materials.4 Identification of chemical species in aerosols is complicated by their complex structures, chemical interferants, and particle sizes.

IARPA seeks to understand the chemistry, morphology, and dispersion characteristics of aerosol plumes. Identification of the chemicals of interest from complex environmental backgrounds would enable security and emergency services to quickly assess threats.

Background & Scope:

Traditional methods for identification of trace chemical residues often overlook vapors and aerosols.5 These include IR spectrometry6 and several types of measurements based on Raman scattering.7 In recent years, significant progress has been made towards detection of vapors via mass spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry, and colorimetrics.8,9 Aerosol detection, however, has lagged, with current primary approaches being LIDAR,10 photo-acoustic spectrometry,11 and various fluorescence techniques,12 – each with its own pitfalls.

Aerosols (suspensions of solid particles or liquid droplets in air) are a challenge to chemically identify for several reasons.12 First, they often have complex structures with chemicals of interest adhered to, encapsulated by, or shielded by common species (e.g., pollen, dust, and water,).12

These outer species act as interferants, masking the desired signal. Second, the aerosolized chemicals of interest may be very similar to other chemicals of interest, requiring significant resolution capability to distinguish between for identification (e.g., there are over 1400 fentanyl analogues found in scientific and patent literature, with hundreds of millions theoretically possible13). Finally, aerosols can vary in size from less than 0.1 m to greater than 20 m, with significant variation in a given distribution.14

Recent advances in various component-level technologies may support the identification of individual chemicals in aerosols by a field portable size instrument. For example, advancements in materials processing have enabled small form factor photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with multiple, complex functions that could enable monolithically integrated optical sources and detectors.15 In addition, the evolution in components used in vapor phase detection (e.g., miniaturized vacuum pumps, in-line photoionization detectors (PIDs), frequency combs) may be applied to systems for aerosol detection. While these technologies, and others, will require further development to meet the challenge of in-situ identification of the chemistry and morphology of aerosols, there is reason to believe that the aerosol characterization needs of the National Security establishment are now within reach. Therefore, IARPA invites white papers describing promising approaches for the identification of aerosol plumes in a field portable form factor (<0.01 m3).

For IARPA to evaluate the promise of potential new approaches, it is necessary to consider the following:

a. existing or newly proposed technology for chemical detection of vapors and/or aerosols of interest as outlined in this RFI;

b. sensor types including, but not limited to, LIDAR, colorimetrics, Raman scattering, laser induced fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and photo-acoustic spectroscopy;

c. pertinent environmental factors such as wind speed and direction, air humidity and temperature, and background chemistry;

d. statistical or predictive techniques for low signal to noise environments;

e. component level technology to enable small form factor aerosol detection, including photonic integrated circuits, miniaturized vacuum pumps, waveguide enhanced optics, and frequency combs among others; and

f. approaches to address chemicals of interest that are encapsulated or mimicked by other species in the aerosol structure.

Responses can address any one or multiple of these considerations. White papers should also provide a rough estimate of achievable performance and indicate specific issues to be addressed, such as those listed earlier.

An IARPA virtual invitation-only workshop is planned for Spring of 2022 with the purpose of reviewing and discussing current and future research relevant to this RFI.

Information discussed at this workshop may assist in the formulation of possible future areas of

USG research with the objective of chemical aerosol detection. Capacity for the workshop is limited, and attendance will be by invitation only.

Preparation Instructions to Respondents:

IARPA requests that respondents submit ideas related to this topic for use by the Government in formulating a potential program. IARPA requests that submittals briefly and clearly describe the potential approach or concept, outline critical technical issues/obstacles, describe how the approach may address those issues/obstacles, and comment on the expected performance and robustness of the proposed approach. If appropriate, respondents may also choose to provide a non-proprietary rough order of magnitude (ROM) estimate regarding what such approaches might require in terms of funding and other resources for one or more years. This announcement contains all of the information required to submit a response. No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed.

IARPA welcomes responses from all capable and qualified sources from within and outside of the

U.S.

Because IARPA is interested in an integrated approach, responses from teams with complementary areas of expertise are encouraged.

Responses must meet the following formatting requirements:

a one-page cover sheet that identifies the title, organization(s), respondent's technical and administrative points of contact - including names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses of all co-authors, and clearly indicating its association with RFI-22-05;

a substantive, focused, one-half page executive summary;

a description (limited to 5 pages in minimum 12-point Times New Roman font, appropriate for single-sided, single-spaced 8.5 by 11-inch paper, with 1-inch margins) of the technical challenges and suggested approach(es);

a list of citations (any significant claims or reports of success must be accompanied by citations) – citations will not count against the 5-page limit; and a single quad-chart depicting the (a) approach, (b) supportive illustrations, (c) key ideas, and (d) potential impact.

Submission Instructions to Respondents:

Responses to this RFI are due no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, 31 March 2022. All submissions must be electronically submitted to dni-iarpa-rfi-22-05@iarpa.gov as a PDF document. Any inquiries to this RFI must be submitted to dni-iarpa-rfi-22-05@iarpa.gov no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, 24 March 2022. Do not send questions with proprietary content. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.

Disclaimers and Important Notes:

This is an RFI issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Respondents are advised that IARPA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt, address inquiries or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. IARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI. It is the respondent's responsibility to ensure that the submitted material has been approved for public release by the information owner. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is the

Government obligated to issue a solicitation based on responses received. No proprietary and/or classified concepts/information shall be included in the submittal. However, should a respondent wish to submit classified concepts/information, prior coordination must be made with

IARPA Security. Email dni-iarpa-rfi-22-05@iarpa.gov with a request for coordination with

IARPA Security. Input on technical aspects of the responses may be solicited by IARPA from non-

Government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements.

Contracting Office Address:

Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity

Washington, District of Columbia 20511, United States

Primary Point of Contact:

Dr. Sherrie Pilkington, Program Manager

Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity

1 Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Budget Estimates. May 2021. Chemical and Biological Defense

Program Defense-Wide Justification Book Volume 4 of 5. Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Defense-Wide. Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense.

https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2022/budget_justification/pdfs/03_RDT_an d_E/RDTE_Vol4_CBDP_RDTE_PB22_Justification_Book.pdf

2 Climate Change and International Responses Increasing Challenges to US National Security Through 2040.

National Intelligence Council. NIC-NIE-2021-10030-A.

3 M. Williams, L. Armstrong, and D.C. Sizemore. Biologic, Chemical, and Radiation Terrorism Review.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493217/

4 K. Ganesan, S.K. Raza, and R. Vijayaraghayan. Chemical Warfare Agents. J. Pharm Bioallied Sci 2(3) 166-178

(2010). DOI: 10.4103/0975.68498.

5 T.P. Forbes, and M. Staymates. Enhanced aerodynamic reach of vapor and aerosol sampling for real-time mass spectrometric detection using Venturi-assisted entrainment and ionization. Analytica Chimica Acta 957, 20-28, (2017).

6 Standoff Illuminator for Measuring Absorbance and Reflectance Infrared Light Signatures.

https://www.iarpa.gov/research-programs/silmarils

7 A. Haddad, M.A. Comanescu, O. Green, T. A. Kubic, J.R. Lombardi. Detection and Quantitation of Trace

Fentanyl in Heroin by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Anal. Chem. 90(21) 12678-12685 (2018).

8 Molecular Analyzer for Efficient Gas-Phase Low-Power Interrogation. https://www.iarpa.gov/research-programs/maeglin

9 Y. Chen, S. Liu, H. Jiang, J. Zhang, Z. Zhang, and X. Guo. Real-Time Continuous Rapid Colorimetric Sensor for Gaseous Formaldehyde Determination by Increasing Gas-Liquid Reaction Rate. J. Electrochem Soc. 168

067524 (2021).

References mailto:dni-iarpa-rfi-22-05@iarpa.gov https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2022/budget_justification/pdfs/03_RDT_and_E/RDTE_Vol4_CBDP_RDTE_PB22_Justification_Book.pdf https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2022/budget_justification/pdfs/03_RDT_and_E/RDTE_Vol4_CBDP_RDTE_PB22_Justification_Book.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493217/ https://www.iarpa.gov/research-programs/silmarils https://www.iarpa.gov/research-programs/maeglin https://www.iarpa.gov/research-programs/maeglin

10 J.A. Huffman, A.E. Perring, N.J. Savage, B. Clot, B.Crouzy, F. Tummon, O. Shoshanim, B. Damit, J.

Schneider, V. Sivaprakasam, M.A. Zawadowicz, I. Crawford, M. Gallagher, D. Topping, D.C. Doughty, S.C.

Hill, and Y. Pan. Real-time sensing of bioaerosols: Review and current perspectives. Aerosol Sci & Tech. 54(5)

465-495 (2020).

11 R.M. Sullenberger, M.L. Clark, R.R. Kunz, A.C. Samuels, D.K. Emge, M.W. Ellzy, and C.M. Wynn. Trace aerosol detection and identification by dynamic photoacoustic spectroscopy. Opt. Exp. 22(S7) (2014). DOI:

10.1364/OE.22.0A1810.

12 R.C. Sullivan, K.A.Prather. Recent Advances in Our Understanding of Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate

Made Possible by On-Line Aerosol Analysis Instrumentation. Anal. Chem. 77(12), 3861-3886 (2005).

13 T. Rickey. Complicating the Opioid Epidemic: The Many Faces of Fentanyl. February 10, 2022. News Release.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/complicating-opioid-epidemic-many-faces-fentanyl

14 National Center for Atmospheric Research - https://scied.ucar.edu/image/aerosols-raindrop-cloud-droplets-sizes

15 R. Chandrasekar, Z.J. Lapin, A.S. Nichols, R.M. Braun, A.W. Fountain. Photonic integrated circuits for

Department of Defense-relevant chemical and biological sensing applications: state-of-the-art and future outlooks. Opt. Eng. 58(2), 020901 (2019).

https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/complicating-opioid-epidemic-many-faces-fentanyl https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/complicating-opioid-epidemic-many-faces-fentanyl https://scied.ucar.edu/image/aerosols-raindrop-cloud-droplets-sizes