Sensor based explosive derector

   In Moscow Engineering-Physics Institute a novel explosive trace detection system has been recently developed. The detector is an explosive’s vapor analizer. It is suited to detect different types of explosives including TNT, DNT, RDX and dynamite. This system detects the vapors or microscopic particles emitted from the explosives and the explosive traces on the item sampled. The sensitive element of the detector is a high sensitive MIS (metal-insulator-semiconductor) sensor. It is designed by means of thin films deposition laser technology (PLD). The device is suited for the detection of the explosive vapours down to the ppb range (1 ppb or10^-12 g/sm³). The sensitivity can be increased to 10^-13 g/sm³ by the proper optimization of the construction of the device.
   Sensor Based Explosive Detector is fast enough to satisfy the modern requirements, the analysis time is about 15 seconds. It is weighing no more 1 kg. Supplying voltages: AC 220 V, 50 Hz; DC 12 V, 5 W. The device is quite light and hand-portable. It is also simple in use. The detector will be useful as first level of security for those who work to protect public from terror threat.

    World commonly used explosive detection systems are designed on the base of Ion Mobility Spectrometry, Chromatography, Masspectrometry technologies. Thus such systems are large and sophisticated. Sensor Based Explosive Detector is only sensor-based system. The success in the development of the Sensor-based system is concerned with the development of the high sensitive sensors in our laboratory with 10³ times higher sensitivity than that of the other sensors.
   The device is on the construction revision stage now. So, we are interested in collaboration in a field of optimisation of the construction of the device on the basis of the investigated physical principals and in a field of the production and application.