Optical Stand-Off Detection of Explosive Residue

Energy Research Company (ERCo) proposes the development of a novel and highly powerful sensor technology for detecting films and residues of explosive materials. This sensor will enable the detection of improvised explosive devices (IED's), car bombs, and other weapons being used against U.S. and allied forces and local civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. By optically scanning surfaces that the bomber has likely touched, for example, car door handles and window sills, from distances as far as 10's of meters away, the sensor will detect explosive residues in a safe and discreet fashion. Given the persistent threat of terrorism in the U.S. and abroad, ERCo sees significant commercial opportunity from the development if this sensor. Following successful development of the sensor under the SBIR program, ERCo will manufacture and market the final system to security agencies for remote detection of IED's and other explosive devices at airports, chemical plants, and other potential terrorist targets. Experimental feasibility of ERCo's concept has been proven in the lab. In Phase I, we will extend these preliminary results to accurately gauge the system's operating envelope.