Detection of land mines by amplified fluorescence quenching of polymer films: a man-portable chemical sniffer for detection of ultratrace concentrations of explosives emanating from land mines

Grone, Marcus J. la; Cumming, Colin; Fisher, Mark; Fox, Michael; Jacob, S.; Reust, Dennis K.; Rockley, Mark G.; Towers, Eric

doi:10.1117/12.396225

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…However, beyond the electronic requirements it is also important that the sensing material possesses a chemical or physical affinity for the analyte and is sterically compatible. Conjugated polymers have been widely studied as fluorescent sensing materials [8][9][10], and indeed the active material in Fido is believed to be a conjugated polymer [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffusion of nitroaromatic vapours into fluorescent dendrimer films for explosives detection

Ali¹,

Chen²,

Cavaye³

et al. 2015

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

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Abstract:Fluorescence-based sensing with organic semiconductors is a powerful method for the detection of a broad range of analytes including explosives, chemical weapons and drugs.Diffusion of an analyte into an organic semiconductor thin film, and its subsequent interaction with the chromophore are key factors that govern the sensing performance of a chemosensor.In this study the diffusion behaviour of an explosive analyte analogue into a sensing film of a conjugated dendrimer was investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and correlated with neutron reflectivity measurements. The mechanistic insights of paranitrotoluene (pNT) sorption in the films of different thicknesses of a first generation dendrimer with fluorenyl surface groups, carbazole dendrons and a spirobifluorene core were studied and interpreted in terms of the underlying kinetics and thermodynamics. Sorption measurements suggest that the process of diffusion of pNT vapour into the dendrimer films is Super Case II, which involves swelling of the film. Swelling of the film was confirmed by neutron reflectometry measurements, which also showed uniform distribution of the pNT molecules throughout the entire film thickness. The activation energy barrier and change in Gibbs free energy in the sorption process were calculated from the QCM responses. The sorption process was found to be thermodynamically (not kinetically) controlled and independent of film thickness. This work sheds insight into the structure-property relationships that govern the performance of organic semiconductor fluorescence-based chemosensors.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffusion of nitroaromatic vapours into fluorescent dendrimer films for explosives detection

Ali¹,

Chen²,

Cavaye³

et al. 2015

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

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“…The reported minimum detection limit of the sensor for nitroaromatics even lower into the mid to low attogram (10 -16 to 10 -18 ) range. The sensor is reported to detect the ultra trace concentrations of TNT vapours and other nitroaromartic compounds found in many landmine explosives 42 .…”

Section: Fluorescence Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One sensor type is semiselective for nitroaromatic compound vapours 8,[42][43] , while the other sensor type is designed to be non-specific and cross-reactive array, fluorensce response patterns are monitored before, during, and after vapour exposure to produce time-dependent vapour response patterns. This detection system have been used to detect 2,4-DNT on the soil surface of landmines.…”

Section: Fluorescence Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landmine Detection Technologies to Trace Explosive Vapour Detection Techniques

Kapoor

Kannan

2007

DSJ

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Large quantity of explosive is manufactured worldwide for use in various types of ammunition, arms, and mines, and used in armed conflicts. During manufacturing and usage of the explosive equipment, some of the explosive residues are released into the environment in the form of contaminated effluents, unburnt explosives fumes and vapours. Limited but uncontrolled continuous release of trace vapours also takes place when explosive-laden landmines are deployed in the field. One of the major technological challenges in post-war scenario worldwide is the detection of landmines using these trace vapour signatures and neutralising them safely. Different types of explosives are utilised as the main charge in antipersonnel and antitank landmines. In this paper, an effort has been made to review the techniques so far available based on explosive vapour detection especially to detect the landmines. A comprehensive compilation of relevant information on the techniques is presented, and their maturity levels, shortcomings, and difficulties faced are highlighted.

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“…In blind field tests administered by DARPA at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, the sensor was able to detect TMA5 and PMA1A landmines with the fuses and detonators removed, with shipping plugs capping the detonator well. These field tests are described in detail elsewhere [8][9][10]. Canines were also tested at the site during these tests.…”

Section: Fido Sensor Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because soil concentrations of TNT and related compounds near mines are often lower than the detection limits of standard devices, field investigation of landmine chemical signatures, particularly dilute signatures displaced significantly from the mine center, has been difficult. Nomadics, Inc. initiated development of an extremely sensitive detector for TNT (known as Fido) under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Dog's Nose Program [8][9][10]. Improvements to the system have made it possible to detect landmine chemical signatures in the field and in lab samples at concentrations two to three orders of magnitude lower than that of commercially available state-of-the-art laboratory sensors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Landmines and Suspected Minefields Using Novel Amplifying Fluorescent Polymers

Grone¹,

Fisher²,

Cumming³

et al. 2002

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Detection of land mines by amplified fluorescence quenching of polymer films: a man-portable chemical sniffer for detection of ultratrace concentrations of explosives emanating from land mines

Cited by 18 publications

References 0 publications

Diffusion of nitroaromatic vapours into fluorescent dendrimer films for explosives detection

Diffusion of nitroaromatic vapours into fluorescent dendrimer films for explosives detection

Landmine Detection Technologies to Trace Explosive Vapour Detection Techniques

Detection of Landmines and Suspected Minefields Using Novel Amplifying Fluorescent Polymers

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