PETN Nanosensor For Tight Security From Explosives!



With so many terror attacks attracting headlines, and security being the need of the hour,  material scientists at the TU Darmstadt have formulated a highly sensitive explosives' sensor that is capable of detecting even slightest traces of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN).  Till now, tests for PETN, a high-explosive chemical compound, are performed by wipe tests and by using an ion-mobility spectrometer. Still, since conducting such tests involves substantial time and effort, it is employed at airports for spot-checking only.

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PETN!


Airport scanners and sniffer dogs are reported to have difficulties detecting PETN, as PETN is only slightly volatile and releases only small numbers of molecules into the ambient air. Functioning in conjunction with the Rhinemain Polytechnic, scientists at the TU Darmstadt as of late developed a nanosensor that is capable of detecting a single PETN molecule among 10 billion air molecules. Explaining the new type of explosive detector’s operation, Dip-Ing Mario Boehme said: "If a PETN molecule enters the sensor’s nanotube, the nitro groups characteristic of PETN adhere to its surface and change its electrical conductivity, and that change may be detected by electronic instrumentation."

In order to detect PETN with the new sensor, all that is essential is conducting ambient air across the sensor. "One possibility would be equipping the conventional metal detectors and X-ray machines employed at airport security checkpoints with the new sensor and a device for inducting air," said Boehme. That method would enable circumspect checks of all passengers and their luggage for explosives without wasting more time on the process.

Boehme added that one more possibility would be to employ a hand-held device similar to a table vacuum cleaner that would allow all passengers to be checked individually. Since the sensors are very small and inexpensive to manufacture, he can also fancy using them at sports events or in other types of security checks. He and his research associates are currently looking for industrial collaboration partners.

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