Batteries help defend against chemical terrorism

Environics has selected Saft rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to provide a reliable source of power for its new ChemPro 100 handheld chemical agent detector.

Environics has selected Saft rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to provide a reliable source of power for its new ChemPro 100 handheld chemical agent detector, developed to enable security forces to monitor environmental threats to civilian populations and defence forces.

In the event of a terrorist attack, fast analysis of chemical agents released into the air is critical if security forces and public-health assets are to respond appropriately.

The improved sensitivity and selectivity provided by the ChemPro 100's ion-mobility cell helps the authorities to establish what they are dealing with.

Although small enough to be held in the hand, the ChemPro100 has a large capability, and can be used as a personal detector of chemical intrusion, a monitor to survey ambient contamination or a fixed installation detector.

The device is easily upgradeable and, with rechargeable batteries, operates with low life-cycle costs - no consumables or special storage maintenance.

The ChemPro 100 is based on Environics' tested and proven open loop ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) technology.

The ChemPro 100 uses an improved ion mobility cell, which provides improved selectivity and sensitivity.

It is designed to detect chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial compounds/materials (TICs/TIMs).

The ChemPro 100, which weighs less than 1kg features an easy-to-use system with an operator interface that can be operated using just one hand.

The user display provides the operator with battery life indicator, concentration bar display, agent class, agent ID, relative time based dose, alarm volume level, date and time.

The ChemPro 100 stores agent alarm information for retrieval at a later time to provide a historical log of events.

The ChemPro 100 is small enough to be used as a personal detector, as a monitor for surveying after an event or by firefighters entering a potentially hazardous area.

Unlike other IMS systems, it provides continuous operation without the need for expendable desiccant cartridges.

Environics selected Saft's battery technology for several reasons that span high-energy density, long cycle-life, and reliability.

Saft's rechargeable lithium-ion MP 176065 battery delivers 5.5Ah of power at 3.6V volts and it weighs just 150g.

(The product number is roughly derived from the MP's dimensions: 18.5 x 59.6 x 64.5mm.) Its maximum continuous discharge current is rated at up to 3C.

Its operating temperature range during discharge starts at -40C and continues up to +60C.

(Charging temperature range is between -20 and +50C.) Saft MP (or medium prismatic) batteries combine the power of rechargeable lithium-ion technology with advanced battery construction.

They do not contain lithium metal; instead, they operate by inserting and extracting lithium ions into and out of their electrodes.

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