A simple method to improve the thermal decomposition of chemical warfare agent simulants is reported. Utilizing pyrolyzed cotton balls as a substrate for the delivery of an incendiary agent into a bulk volume of chemical warfare agent simulants, significant enhancements in the burning rates were achieved with respect to either other wicks or the incendiary agent by itself. To perform the decomposition experiments and follow the reaction in real time, while still addressing the important safety considerations related to experiments involving chemical warfare agent simulants and incendiary agents, a simple instrument was assembled in a laboratory hood, where all experiments were performed. Under ambient conditions, this method was able to enhance the decomposition of simulants for both sulfur mustard (HD) and sarin (GB) chemical warfare agents. Overall, the proposed approach represents one of the simplest and more cost-effective ways to improve the decomposition of these dangerous substances, presenting options for field expedient and low-cost processes that could be applied in the near future to the safe destruction of an actual CWA.

Hydrogen peroxide has been postulated to be present on the surface of Europa and Enceladus. While it could represent a potential source of energy for possible life-forms, H 2 O 2 may also interfere with a number of current detection technologies, including biosensors. To take advantage of the selectivity and portability of these devices, simple and reliable routes to degrade the potential H 2 O 2 present should be developed and implemented to prepare for this possibility. Unfortunately, most of the current approaches for removing H 2 O 2 are slow, may affect the sample, or could interfere with the performance of biosensors. To address these limitations, catalase was immobilized onto silica particles and used as a means to selectively decompose H 2 O 2 prior to the analysis of common biomarkers with a biosensor. For these experiments, glucose, l-leucine, and lactic acid were used as representative examples of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, amino acids, and organic acids, respectively, which could be used as biomarkers on extraterrestrial bodies. While the decomposition reaction between catalase and H 2 O 2 is well known, to our knowledge this is the first instance where catalase has been used in combination with a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (mPAD) to implement selective sample pretreatment.