Standoff Detection of Explosives Using Luminescent Particles
Abstract
This contract supported the development of fluorescence-based sensory methods for the standoff detection of explosives. In a subset of these technologies electronic (conjugated) polymers serve to amplify analyte-induced signals. New polymers were developed with different electronic structures/electron affinities to produce specific responses to classes of molecules. Organization schemes were developed to create materials with enhanced absorptions and strong narrow emissions. Methods to stabilize polymers from photobleaching were developed based upon small molecule additives. Specific transduction methods were developed for the detection of nitro-amide and nitro-ester groups, found in the high explosives RDX and PETN. In these schemes the photochemical transformation (sunlight) causes a reaction sequence between the sensory material and the explosives that generates a new, highly specific, sensory signal. These potentially standoff optical methods were shown to be robust with sensitivity limits that match present day (stationary) explosives equipment based upon ion mobility spectrometers. Novel polymers were developed for the fluorescent detection of peroxides. New standoff methods for the detection of the aromatic components of fuel oil and diesel fuel were developed that made use of the use of a strongly optical absorbing complex with a highly specific indicator. In these methods two laser beams are used, and one is attenuated by the complex to produce a signal that is a ratio of the intensities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 28, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA546002
Entities
People
- Timothy M. Swager
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology