Detection

The explosives detection thrust area focuses on understanding the fundamental problems of trace detection of explosives, including direct detection of the explosive, detection of the explosive device, and improvement of explosive sample collection. The goal is to develop sensing systems that are sensitive (capable of detecting ultra-low amounts of explosives), selective (reducing the number of false positives and false negatives), and adaptable (able to be reconfigured as new types of explosives become threats). Approaches to these problems include:

Investigation of the fundamental physical processes underlying the traditional trace detection techniques of ion mobility spectrometry and differential mobility spectrometry, including experimental and modeling activities.
Development of new gas sensors and sensor arrays using a variety of modalities such as chemiresistors, nanocantilevers, fluorescence quenching, and heat transfer techniques.
Synthesis and evaluation of new trace collection systems which can enhance the explosive signature by improved particle collection, vapor plume stimulation, and analyte specific sorbent substrates.
Remote detection of explosives by laser photodissociation fluorescence methodology and determination of the physics and chemistry of the ultraviolet ablation process, the signature of explosives in various environments, and the sensitivity.