Army DEVCOM CBC Designs Chemical-Detecting Sensor Through Additive Manufacturing

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Chemical Biological Center has developed through 3D modeling a sensor that detects harmful chemicals, which is potentially useful for warfighters and first responders. 

Called Chemically Reactive On-demand Materials, or ChROMa, the additive manufacturing system is designed to 3D-print a sensor that changes color when it comes into contact with chemical warfare agents or toxic chemicals. With the Defense Logistics Agency expressing interest in ChROMa, its research team plans to submit the project to the agency for possible funding, DVIDS reported Thursday.

ChROMa’s 3D-printed sensors, if commercially developed, would offer on-demand, portable, light and low-cost chemical detection tools for field use, the news website added.

Brian Hauck, ChROMa team leader, expressed his excitement about the initial work, saying they “have a lot of exciting possibilities to explore.” 

The ChROMa researchers drew $300,000 seed money from DEVCOM CBC’s program, “Quick Empowerment leads to Successful Tomorrows,” which funded a total of 12 projects in 2023.

One of the DEVCOM projects demonstrated recently was a chemical and biological defense solution to remotely decontaminate a vehicle, which was presented in May at Camp Dawson in West Virginia.