Next Generation Nanospring Based Explosives Sensors
Abstract
Electronic, or solid state, explosives sensors are the most compact and energy efficientoption. They are also the most cost effecti"ve. Their primary shortcoming is selectiveness anddiscrimination of the signatures of explosives in the field. Overcoming this shortcoming requiresthe use of advanced materials and multiple techniques of detection and signal processing(electronic nose). This pr"oject embraces this approach by utilizing a highly engineered onedimensionalnanomaterial, or ZnO coated nanosprings, of which only"" this research group has thiscapability, into an electronic explosives sensor. Nanospring-based explosives sensors to bedeveloped"" will incorporate molecular surface functionalization with 6-mercaptohexanol, a thiolthat has demonstrated excellent thermal stabil""ity, refreshibility, and distinguishable responses toammonia nitrate. Development will also include the use of UV light stimulation" of carriers toeliminate heating typically needed to stimulate carriers when using metal oxides. UV lightstimulation will significantly lower the power consumption of the explosives sensor and potentialenhance selectivity and discrimination. The project also in"tegrates the use of lock-in based signalprocessing for detection in the ppt range, which is another unique aspect of this project."" Theintegration of 6-mercaptohexanol functionalization, UV light stimulation, lock-in signalprocessing into a single explosives se"nsor is unprecedented. Combining these with state-of-theartZnO nanospring explosives sensor is well beyond anything currently being developed.Another goal of the project is to develop a stochastic model of sensor response for thin films andnanospring based expl"osives sensors. The model is inspired by biocomplexity, such as that in thebrain, where out of macro scale disorder emerges well de""fined responses to outside stimuli. Thisis conceptually unique in that instead of fighting to achieve order, one utilizes stochasti"c disorderas a means of increasing sensor sensitivity and discrimination.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 09, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712593
Entities
People
- David N McIlroy
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
- United States Navy