Development of explosive detection equipment to replace professional dogs

At the French weapons and security research center - Germany Saint-Louis in eastern France, Dr. Denis Spitzer and his colleagues are developing sensors that detect the smell of explosive TNT and other explosives. Very low content, possibly emanating from a bomb being transported through the security inspection area at airports. This technology promises to be of great help to the "mobile explosive" detection tool in crowded areas - bomb-sniffing dogs.

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New explosive sensors made of silicon materials and oxide titanium nanotubes are even expected to replace our "four-legged friend" with limited health, "performance". working erratically as well as spending a lot of time and cost to train.

In fact, scientists have achieved a lot of success in making explosives odor recognition equipment and these devices are already on the market. But if talking about the sensitivity and distinguishing smell of explosives, professional dogs still dominate.

Explosive device made from silicon and nanotubes
Titanium oxide may change the duty of bomb-sniffing dogs.

For example, the latest sniffing devices from sensor manufacturers Flir Systems, including handheld models weighing only a few hundred grams used in the military and elsewhere, can help dogs get their bets off. Express TNT with low doses. These devices use fluorescent polymer technology developed by chemical expert Timothy Swager at Massachussetts Institute of Technology (USA). Thin polymer layers glow when illuminated by ultraviolet light, but if in the presence of TNT molecules, the glowing phenomenon does not happen, helping authorities know that there is explosives. However, Aimee Rose, Sales Manager of Flir Systems, admits that their product is only used as a support device for dogs, but not completely replaced.

Competition with a trained dog's sense of smell and brain is a difficult task. Therefore, the replacement device must be extremely sensitive, able to identify odors from a range of related molecules, as well as being able to select and distinguish between explosives and "signals" of Other normal compounds.

Dr. Spitzer's method is to use small pieces of silicon that function to vibrate when exposed to the molecules of explosives, thereby, the higher the concentration of explosive molecules, the stronger the vibrations and can be received. know by laser or other means. But because the sensitivity of silicon is not strong enough to detect explosives at low levels, Dr. Spitzer's team combined it with titanium oxide nanotubes, which have the function of capturing many explosive molecules. more so that it is easier to identify explosives.

Ahead of Dr. Spitzer is still a long way. Tests show that his sensor has the ability to detect TNT explosives with a content of less than 1 / 1,000 billion, which is still not as good as a dog sniffing bombs. Therefore, the team's next goal is to enhance the chemical sensitivity of nanomaterials, so that it doesn't react with water molecules or other harmless compounds. According to Dr. Spitzer, the specific task is to "adjust" the nanotubes so that it captures specific explosives. Finally, Dr. Spitzer will need to test new sensor devices in assumed airport areas, in the most specific circumstances.

"When you are in a real situation, sometimes you get surprising results" - Dr Spitzer said the belief that his device will help in future security reviews at airports or subway station.