Novel Chemistry to reduce the risk from household products.
This Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition is seeking proposals that can reduce the risk of common chemicals used in household and personal care products being used as explosives precursors or precursors for the production of chemical or biological agents. We welcome approaches that will offer substitutes for these compounds or additives that will reduce the risk of their misuse.
The focus for this competition is on substances that are precursors to explosives, chemical or biological agents. Explosive, chemical and biological agents, produced for legitimate purposes, are well regulated and controlled, but there are a range of commercially available products containing precursors which can be used to make homemade versions. Many of these precursors are available on the high street such as in household cleaning or personal care products. Precursors which are easy to extract and concentrate, and that are available in large volumes, are of particular concern. Simply banning them is not practicable due to their legitimate uses and therefore substitutes are sought. Alternatively it may be more appropriate to use additives, which would make concentration or extraction of the precursor more difficult, rather than to actually replace it in a legitimate product.
Funding of £1 million is expected to be available to fund up to 10 proposals, inviting bids up to a £125k limit. If successful, contracts will be awarded for a duration of 7 months.
Further information on the competition and details of how to submit here. This competition closes on Wednesday 3 July 2019 at midday.
