E-raamat: Trace Chemical Sensing of Explosives [Wiley Online]

Woodfin (a retired system engineer of Sandia National Laboratories) and colleagues describe some of the representative electronic technologies being developed to allow for chemical sensing of explosives molecules (for rather obvious applications). Opening chapters examine some of the technical problems and issues involved with finding and identifying small quantities of explosive materials within a given environment. Three chapters describe field experiences in the detection of trace explosive signature in the marine environment, using ultrasensitive electronic vapor sensors, and in mine hunting by aroma sensing. Remaining chapters describe particular technologies, including explosives detection based on amplifying fluorescence polymers, ion mobility spectrometry, mass spectrometry for security screening of explosives, explosive vapor detection using microcantilever sensors, lab-on-a-chip detection of explosives, nanoscale sensing assemblies using quantum dot-protein bioconjugates, and remote sensing of explosive materials using differential reflection spectrometry. Appendices list organizations involved in searching for hidden explosives and explain acronyms, symbols, and abbreviations. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

This timely book covers the most recent developments in the chemical detection of explosives in a variety of environments. Beginning with a broad view of the need for and the potential applications of chemical sensing, the book considers the issue of how to effectively include chemical sensing into systems designed to find hidden explosives devices. Offering a firsthand look at the latest technologies direct from those who are actively developing them, the book features:

• A look at the history of the field, including the contributions of recent programs
• A brief explanation of the chemistry of various explosives and differences in the place where they may be detected
• An introduction to the problems presented by trace element sensing
• An overview and comparison of the technologies currently being used and developed
• Case studies of field experiences with chemical sensors
• A look at the emerging threat of non-traditional explosives

This book is an important reference for explosives engineers, systems engineers involved in the development of related devices, government agencies and NGOs involved in demining efforts, military and law enforcement specialists in mines and explosive ordinance disposal (EOD), as well as environmental scientists and chemists involved in explosives research.

In addition to providing field workers with knowledge that will help them decide where and how to search for explosives using chemical sensors. It will provide them with an understanding of the potential and the limitations of chemical sensing in their search for and identification of dangerous devices.