capabilities

Chemical, Biological & Medical Sciences


CBRN Capabilities


Avarint operates state-of-the-art chemical and biological agent test facilities that are certified by the U.S. Army RDECOM and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) enabling the use of live chemical and biological warfare agents to determine the performance of defensive technologies including personal and collective protective equipment (suits, boots, gloves, shelters, masks and filters); decontamination products; and detection systems.  These facilities have been in continuous operation since 1983 (chemical) and 1999 (biological).  Our experienced team of scientists and engineers provide services of the highest technical quality to our clients.  We are responsive to customer needs and have the agility to rapidly apply our expertise to develop customized approaches to meet the specific needs of a test program.


Research and Development

  • Sample preparation for environmental and clinical samples containing multiple classes of threat organisms
  • Identification of target sequences for real-time PCR and microarray bio-detection assays; optimization/transition of reagents to microfluidic platforms; custom stabilization of reagents for on-chip storage
  • Development, characterization, purification and production of antigens and corresponding monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies
  • High-throughput assay design and screening to support drug discovery to combat infectious diseases
  • Development of computational approaches to predictive toxicity of candidate chemical structures to guide and augment laboratory efforts


Test and Evaluation

  • Live chemical and biological warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, advanced chemical threats
  • 270-m³ large item chemical test chamber for large-scale experiments; vehicles, shelters and stand-off detection systems; 600-m³ chamber for biological aerosol testing
  • Full suite of state-of-the-art analytical systems to support both research-based and developmental test programs​
  • Perform many methods including but not limited to TOP 8-2-501A, TOP 8-2-111A, TOP 8-2-061 and MIL-STD-282, and TOP 8-2-510; commercial methods including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1991 and 1994
  • Detection:generation and characterization of CWA and TIC vapors and aerosols; and biological aerosols to evaluate chemical detectors and biological collectors, triggers and identifiers
  • Decontamination: efficacy determination of decontaminants and decon systems on small-scale individual equipment to full-scale systems against chemical and biological threats
  • CBR survivability engineering, analysis and testing: vulnerability analyses, design, engineering, material selection, and testing of components,subsystems and full systems
  • Personal and Collective Protection: permeation testing of protective clothing, evaluation of filtration media, filters and collective protection systems against chemical agents, TICs and biological organisms