Introducing Platypus Technologies for Law Enforcement & First Responders. The chemical versatility of ammonia has been exploited for the illegal production of methamphetamines in clandestine laboratories. Large concentrations of ammonia are unusual in most consumer products. Thus, NH3 can be used by law enforcement officials as a sign that a methamphetamine lab may be present. Similarly, C6H6 is a volatile organic compound (VOCs), a type of highly volatile solvent used for production of illegal drugs. C6H6 is highly flammable, however, and can readily form explosive mixtures in air that can readily ignite if a spark or flame is encountered.
Our targeted sensors for ammonia and benzene can detect low levels of the specific gas up to the explosive levels and transmit its signal through drones equipped with the integrated sensor. These devices will find optimal use by first responders, especially law enforcement.
Platypus Chemical Sensors
Based on cutting-edge nanotechnology research at the University of Wisconsin, Platypus has developed a new family of chemical sensors.
Platypus Chemical Sensors™ use advanced surface nanomaterials that selectively report the presence of toxic gases. When molecules of toxic gas bind to the surface of the sensor, the reorganization of molecular orientation of a liquid crystal film produces a color change. This color change can be read directly from the sensor, or it can be integrated into an electronic circuit to provide immediate and accurate detection of toxic gases.
By decoupling the sensing event (binding of the toxic gas) from the optical reporting (change of color in the liquid crystal), Platypus Chemical Sensors™ offer unique advantages over other technologies, including high sensitivity and selectivity, ultra-fast response times, stability over a wide range of environmental conditions, and minimal interference.
Illustration of Detection Technology used in PlatypusTM Chemical Sensors
PLATYPUS DOSIMETERS™
Platypus DosimetersTM provide personal exposure monitoring with accuracy that exceeds government standards. These dosimeters are ideal for exposure assessments and as compliance tools.
Features:
- High accuracy exceeds OSHA/NIOSH standards
- Pre-calibrated (no user calibration or bump test required)
- Immediate, on the spot results eliminate the need for lab analysis
- No extra fees from lab analysis, pumps, tubes, or hoses
- Maintains accuracy over wide environmental range over -5 to 50 °C and 0 to 95% RH
Spot Sensors
Platypus Spot Sensors™ are small, economical and easy to use sensors for rapid identification of toxic chemicals.
Features:
- High selectivity, with minimal interference from non-target compounds
- Each sensor uses unique nanomaterials for different toxic gas detection
- Fast response time
- Easy to read dark-to-clear transition
Product Number | Data Sheet | Spot Sensor | Package Size |
SP.H2S.A-10 | H2S-datasheet | Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) | 10 |
SP.NH3.A-10 | NH3-datasheet | Ammonia (NH3) | 10 |
SP.NO2.A-10 | NO2-datasheet | Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) | 10 |
SP.DMP.A-10 | phosphonates-data | Pesticides (phosphonates) | 10 |
SP.CO.A-10 | CO-datasheet | Carbon Monoxide (CO) | 10 |