Reproducible generation of explosive traces for detection system testing

Michael Wittek; Dirk Röseling; Frank Schnürer; Thomas Heintz; Alexander Dresel; Thomas Wegener; Martin Schmäh

doi:10.1117/12.2325543

8 October 2018 Reproducible generation of explosive traces for detection system testing

Michael Wittek, Dirk Röseling, Frank Schnürer, Thomas Heintz, Alexander Dresel, Thomas Wegener, Martin Schmäh

Proceedings Volume 10802, Counterterrorism, Crime Fighting, Forensics, and Surveillance Technologies II; 108020W (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2325543
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2018, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Explosive trace detection (ETD) systems need to be tested against the target substances on a nanogram scale applied to various different surfaces. To reach this goal a solvent-free method using inert particles coated with explosives was researched. A powder pipette was developed that is able to perform a dry transfer which can place a required number of particles on a target area to guarantee a reproducible generation of traces on different surfaces. A negative pressure is used to grasp a singular particle from a powder bed into the round pore of the pipette. The particle can be released by an electric stimulus of the pipette which is integrated into a platform solution enabling a fully automatic control. Combining the knowledge of the explosive amount on each particle and the possibility to perform the deposition of an exact number of particles it is possible to create reproducible and quantitative test specimen for explosive trace detection systems.

Explosive vapour detection (EVD) systems need to be tested with controlled concentrations of explosive vapour down to ppt level. A suited gas generator was developed taking into account measures to prevent unwished adsorption and to ensure a controlled gas concentration output. The developed gas generator is able to evaporate small amounts of dissolved explosives from a liquid circle into a gas stream. By controlling the gas stream, the concentration of explosive in the liquid circle and the numbers of pulses, it is possible to create defined explosive vapours down to ppt level.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Wittek, Dirk Röseling, Frank Schnürer, Thomas Heintz, Alexander Dresel, Thomas Wegener, and Martin Schmäh "Reproducible generation of explosive traces for detection system testing", Proc. SPIE 10802, Counterterrorism, Crime Fighting, Forensics, and Surveillance Technologies II, 108020W (8 October 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2325543

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