Agilent to Develop Chemical Monitor

Agilent Technologies Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., has received a $930,000 Phase I grant from the US Department of Homeland Security's Advanced Research Projects Agency. One of 40 organizations to receive the award, Agilent will contribute to the development of an autonomous rapid facility chemical agent monitor. The system will be used to detect chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial compounds in enclosed areas such as government buildings and transportation facilities. The long-term goal of the project is to create a cost-effective, highly sensitive system that can detect and identify agents with minimal false-positive or -negative results.