MIONER is an advanced detection, monitoring and identification device designed to support first responders and emergency services during disasters such as explosions, chemical releases and industrial accidents. Thanks to its ultra-high sensitivity in the sub-ppq (parts-per-quadrillion) range, MIONER can detect hazardous threats at extremely low concentrations in the gas phase, enabling early hazard detection from a safe distance and monitoring, and also in liquid phase for confirmatory purposes if needed. The key for such low sensitivity relies on the optimal combination of cutting-edge analytical techniques, all of them developed by MION, from a high-flow gas preconcentration system to the multi-filtering analysis unit, where the collected vapors are thermally desorbed and analysed using a technology based on MION’s proprietary Differential Mobility Analysis (DMA) architecture. MIONER performs molecular-level identification in the vapor phase and delivers automatic outputs within minutes, eliminating subjective interpretation and the need for expert analysis. MIONER addresses critical capability gaps in disaster response, including early detection of toxic industrial chemicals, assessment of airborne contamination after accidental releases or fires, and verification of chemical threats in complex environments and matrixes. Its high sensitivity, automation and digital traceability enhance situational awareness while reducing direct responder exposure. The system has been validated in relevant operational environments and currently stands at TRL 5.
The ambition of MIONER lies in its capacity to address critical capability gaps identified by first responders operating in hazardous environments. During industrial fires, chemical releases and confined-space interventions, responders are often exposed to airborne threats before the nature of the hazard is confirmed. In 2022, 62 firefighters died in the line of duty in the United States. Investigations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have linked several fatalities and severe injuries to exposure to toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide. Long-term health risks are also significant. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans, highlighting the impact of repeated inhalation of toxic substances. Studies show firefighters face significantly higher cancer risks than the general population due to prolonged exposure to hazardous combustion by-products such as benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), often present in complex mixtures during fires. These findings reinforce concerns that chemical exposure during fire response poses serious long-term health risks and underline the need for improved exposure monitoring, protective measures and early hazard detection. These examples reflect persistent capability gaps, particularly CG2 (real-time detection and monitoring of threats), CG3 (rapid identification) and CG6 (remote acquisition of information). MIONER addresses these gaps by enabling highly sensitive and selective detection and confirmation of hazardous threats before entering a hazardous atmosphere. Its remote sampling capability allows air monitoring and identification from potentially contaminated areas, while automated identification provides objective results in real time.
MIONER introduces a different approach to field detection of hazardous airborne threats remotely for the first responder thanks to its extremely high sensitivity combined with portability at a lower price, while current field detection technologies often fall into two categories: (i) highly sensitive laboratory-grade instruments that are expensive and bulky, and (ii) low-cost portable detectors that provide limited sensitivity and generate more frequent false alarms or less accurate results. The innovation lies in combining high-flow remote sampling with highly selective analytical identification creating a capability that is unique in the world, allowing responders to collect air from potentially contaminated environments without direct exposure and obtain objective molecular confirmation within minutes. MIONER identifies specific chemical signatures and can provide concentration-related data to support risk assessment. Another innovative strength of the technology is the first-responder-oriented results. MIONER transforms advanced and expensive laboratory-grade detection principles into a compact, field-deployable solution that does not require expert interpretation. Results are delivered in a clear and operationally relevant format, facilitating decision-making. By moving from non-specific hazard indication to precise molecular confirmation, MIONER represents a technological and operational innovation in disaster-response capabilities. Its approach enhances selectivity, reliability and decision-support value compared to conventional field sensors, positioning it as a next-generation tool for hazardous environment assessment.
MIONER addresses a critical operational challenge faced by first responders: the inability to rapidly and reliably confirm the nature and concentration of airborne chemical hazards before personnel exposure. In this way, when reaching the emergency scene, within minutes first responders can know what they are facing before even stepping into the affected area and take operational decisions. During industrial chemical releases or confined-space interventions, responders must make immediate decisions based on incomplete or non-specific sensor data, increasing operational uncertainty and exposure risk. An example of this is the widespread use of Photoionization Detectors (PID) by first responders. A limitation of PIDs is that “they are not chemically specific – that is, a response shows that something is there, but it does not identify what it is.” This lack of selectivity can complicate hazard interpretation in complex atmospheres (NIOSH, 2012). In addition, the detector must be placed at or very close to the gas source to obtain a measurement, exposing the first responder. MIONER overcomes these limitations through its ultra-high selectivity, enabling reliable identification and concentration measurement of hazardous substances from the distance. Another limitation addressed by MIONER concerns the weaknesses of conventional electrochemical gas sensors commonly used in multi-gas detectors by first responders. These sensors are known to suffer from cross-sensitivity to interfering gases, environmental influences such as temperature and humidity, and sensor drift over time, which can lead to inaccurate or misleading readings (Analog Devices, 2022; Aeroqual, 2023; Zhang et al., 2024). MIONER overcomes these limitations by relying on selective identification rather than indirect electrochemical reactions.
MION has a multidisciplinary team combining expertise in chemical engineering, analytical instrumentation, mechanical design, electronics and software development. The company has extensive experience validating its technology in real operational environments with security authorities and field operators. MION promotes equal opportunities and gender balance across recruitment, project roles and decision-making processes, ensuring an inclusive and merit-based working culture.
MION has a multidisciplinary team combining expertise in chemical engineering, analytical instrumentation, mechanical design, electronics and software development. The company has extensive experience validating its technology in real operational environments with security authorities and field operators. MION promotes equal opportunities and gender balance across recruitment, project roles and decision-making processes, ensuring an inclusive and merit-based working culture.