New uses found for Defence-developed sensor

A device developed by Defence, originally for laboratory tests and investigated for early warning of chemical threats on the battlefield, was used in a pilot test by the federal department of agriculture this year.

According to a statement on Wednesday from Defence, the MIST sensor is thumb-sized, low-cost, low-weight and simple to use, with no buttons. It has its heritage in a Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) project with Ideation Product Solutions for lab-based tests.

Now development of the sensor has entered a new chapter with an MOU between the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and DSTG, to test the sensor for biosecurity inspections.

DAFF hopes “to upgrade their early warning detection technology and find a device with better detection specificity for target fumigants” according to the statement, with their current technology ageing as well as expensive to run.

DSTG Project Lead Nicholas FitzGerald said, “Capitalising on these sorts of opportunities and showing clear value could also be an important step toward a future of multi-departmental research centres where member departments contribute to them and draw from them according to their means and needs.”

DAFF’s Director of Research and Innovation, Biosecurity Strategy and Reform Division, Jessica May, added that implementing the sensor with Defence was exciting. 

“I now better understand why chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats are so important in a conflict environment,” she said.

“I also understand how the technology used to meet these threats can be applied to our work within or around hazardous environments.”

The two organisations partnered earlier this year on what was described as a “proof-of-concept pilot test with current technology” and further testing is planned.

Picture: credit Defence