The C100 Modular Tactical Collector is intended to be used as a stand-alone collector or as a component within a modularly-integrated system that would also include detection and identification components.
Available in two stand-alone versions, the C100-L and the C100-X, the C100-L has been optimized for longer battery run time while the C100-X has been optimized for enhanced collection of small particles such as single spores. Both versions may be operated via standard military battery or DC power. Initiation of a collection cycle can be manual using the interface on the base unit or may be triggered for collection using a serial interface. Triggered sampling time is firmware configurable and has a default time of 10 minutes. Continuous sampling can be conducted on a single BA5390/U battery for eight to fourteen hours, depending on the model.
The collector is based on ICx Technologies rotating impactor technology and is designed to sample the ambient air at a nominal flow-rate 150 liters per minute (lpm), depending on the model. The impactor rotates at high speed, both entraining air into the system and collecting particles onto the surface. Following sampling, the rotating disk is rinsed using pre-measured, individually-packaged fluid to extract the collected particles from the impactor into a small liquid volume of buffered saline.