The Future of Field-Based Spectroscopy Begins Now
With the industry’s top innovators now united under one roof, 908 Devices is poised to reshape the landscape of public safety with technology that will empower first responders with faster, smarter, and more versatile chemical detection tools. The company’s acquisition of RedWave Technology has brought together two storied legacies, each with a track record of pioneering first-of-their-kind products that transformed entire industries. From launching the first FTIR and Raman devices for hazmat response to introducing handheld mass spectrometry for trace chemical analysis, these innovators have redefined what’s possible in the field. Let’s look at this legacy of field-based spectroscopy.
From Anthrax to Innovation: The Turning Point
Prior to 9/11, FTIR-based spectroscopy was limited to pharmaceutical applications and academic research. One such device, the TravelIR, was produced by SensIR Technologies of Danbury, Connecticut. In the wake of the 2001 anthrax attacks, first responders faced a new reality, frequent unknown white powder threats with no reliable field tools for identification. The TravelIR was quickly adapted for field use, setting the stage for a new era in hazmat response.
The Birth of HazMatID and a New Market
SensIR recognized this urgent need and developed the HazMatID, the first FTIR system purpose-built for first responders. Its success was immediate and within a year, SensIR sold more FTIR devices to hazmat teams than it had to all other markets over the prior decade.
The HazMatID’s ability to quickly and reliably identify unknown substances revolutionized field response and became a staple of hazmat teams nationwide. The platform’s success led to SensIR’s acquisition by Smiths Detection, which expanded the product line with more advanced tools like GasID and HazMatID Elite.
The Rise of Raman and the Founding of Ahura
Following the acquisition, several SensIR alumni found their way over to a start-up company, Ahura Scientific, shifting the focus to Raman spectroscopy. In 2004, they released FirstDefender, the first Raman spectrometer designed specifically for field use. Previously limited to academic labs, Raman was now a powerful tool in the hands of first responders.
Ahura’s innovation quickly reshaped the market. Raman’s advantages, non-contact analysis, low cost, and strong chemical specificity, drove widespread adoption. Today, more than 10 companies have introduced nearly 20 handheld Raman systems to the public safety market.
Thermo Fisher’s Expansion of the Legacy
In 2010, Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired Ahura Scientific, accelerating the adoption of spectroscopy tools in law enforcement and hazmat response. This led to the development of the Thermo Scientific TruNarc, a handheld Raman system for narcotics identification, and the Thermo Scientific Gemini, the first handheld device to combine FTIR and Raman technologies. For nearly two decades, these products have set the benchmark for optical spectroscopy-based technologies in the field.
Innovation Through Dispersal
As key personnel from SensIR and Ahura branched out, they drove new waves of innovation in the public safety space. Companies like ANDE introduced Rapid DNA analysis, Pendar Technologies introduced advanced quantum cascade laser systems for stand-off analysis, and of course 908 Devices, the pioneer for handheld high-pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS).
Several SensIR founders also started A2 Technologies, later acquired by Agilent. And from there, they launched RedWave Technology, aimed at modernizing legacy FTIR tools. RedWave introduced XplorIR, a handheld FTIR system for rapid gas identification, solving a long-standing challenge for field responders.
908 Devices and RedWave: A Strategic Union
In 2024, 908 Devices acquired RedWave Technology, combining unmatched expertise in trace detection (HPMS) with state-of-the-art FTIR. This union brings together technologies for chemical identification of all physical phases—solids, liquids, gases, and aerosols.
With the divestment of its bioprocessing portfolio to Repligen, 908 Devices now focuses entirely on public safety, positioning itself as an innovation engine for advanced chemical detection for years to come.
Back to the Future: Innovation Comes Full Circle
From the legacy of the original HazMatID to today’s MX908 and XplorIR, the 908 Devices team continues to lead in the development of field-based chemical detection tools. With a deep pipeline of next-generation solutions and a team rooted in two decades of game-changing innovation, 908 Devices is once again redefining what’s possible.
This is more than a new chapter, it’s the beginning of a new era for first responders, built on a legacy of innovation and a commitment to protecting lives through technology.
TravelIR, HazMatID, GasID and HazMatID Elite are trademarks of Smiths Detection. FirstDefender, TruNarc, Gemini and FirstDefender RMX are trademarks of Thermo Fisher Scientific. XplorIR and MX908 are trademarks of 908 Devices.
