Defense Systems November 11, 2020
The small and variable characteristics of the virus combined with complex indoor environments make using a single detection and measurement technique extraordinarily difficult. Optical environmental sensors, which can offer fast detection times, are not always able to discriminate between benign and pathogenic material. The SenSARS program (Pre-solicitation) aims to overcome these existing challenges to environmental monitoring. DARPA is primarily interested in three use cases: detecting the virus in a 50-cubic-meter office, similar detection in a 300-cubic-meter conference room or classroom, and central monitoring of HVAC systems in buildings up to 10 stories. Solutions must have size, weight, and power requirements suitable to the use case, and they must also inexpensive and easy to use and maintain…read more.