Electronic Sensor Technology Announces New Electronic Nose for Homeland Security Released.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NEWBURY PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2002

A new and improved chemical agent monitor (ICAM), designated a model 4200 zNose(TM), is now in production and is designed specifically to help homeland security first responders as well as military force protection personnel deal with chemical vapor threats.

Unlike all other types of chemical agent detectors, which can only detect specific chemicals, the new electronic nose is designed to recognize virtually any vapor threat including chemical signatures from biological as well as chemical warfare agents. The zNose(TM) is able to compare vapor signatures to an expandable library of chemical profiles and to alert the user to known vapor threats. Additional profiles can be downloaded electronically or produced in the field by simply smelling a sample of the vapor threat. The new ICAM is able to quantify the complete chemistry of any odor, fragrance, or smell in 10 seconds with part-per-trillion sensitivity.

The first model 4200 systems produced were delivered to the U.S. Army's Dugway Proving Ground and quickly put to use in an Exchange Zone Test conducted by the Air Mobility Command at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. (AMCNS). According to Senior Master Sgt. Todd Herzog, AMC's air transportability and aerial delivery test manager, the exercise scenario involving simulated chemical contamination of troops and equipment as might be experienced by delivery of aircraft into a chemical warfare theater. In this exercise troops and cargo arrived at an intermediate location and wee off-loaded into a "clean" location. The troops and their equipment then pass through an exchange zone (EZ) and loaded onto an aircraft on the "dirty" side of the airfield where they are likely to be contaminated with simulated chemical warfare agents. Before transferring back to the "clean" side of the field the troops and equipment were made to again pass through the exchange zone where they were tested for contamination. Within the exchange zone the improved chemical agent monitor was used to detect the chemical profile of the simulated chemical warfare agents and warn of contaminated personnel or equipment. In effect the electronic nose is able to 'sniff' out any contaminants, said Herzog.

For the first time, the new ICAM systems were delivered with integrated GPS receivers, which enabled vapor measurements to be assigned specific geographical locations within the theater of operation. This feature enables area commanders to determine the geographical concentrations of chemical agents on the battlefield in real time. According to Dr. Edward J. Staples, managing director of Electronic Sensor Technology, the zNose(TM) is able to assign a location and time to each chemical measurement within a military theater of operation including Baghdad.

Electronic Sensor Technology (EST) is a California corporation formed in 1995 to manufacture electronic noses using proprietary technology originally developed by Amerasia Technology Inc, a California R&D corporation. The company currently has 3 issued and 1 pending patent. According to Dr. Staples the company is seeking to expand its marketing, distribution, and sales network by strategic partnerships with major commercial and defense related corporations. Following two years of extensive beta testing and performance validation the company now produces a benchtop and a handheld version of the zNose(TM). In support of government users such as Homeland Security and Force Protection Officers, the company has also negotiated a reduced price for its commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) instruments with the General Services Administration. The zNose(TM) system includes a Pentium multi-media laptop computer bundled with MSOffice, PCAnywhere, and proprietary zNose(TM) software.

Information on the company's technology and products can be obtained from the company Website: http://www.estcal.com/, where an abundant supply of technical papers and product application literature can also be downloaded.