Versatile Trace Explosives Sampling and Collection System

To address the need for combined vapor and particulate trace explosives sampling and collection, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Versatile Trace Explosives Sampling and CollecTion (V-TEST) system. This noncontact system will agitate and sample air near the test object, and then condense vapor and particulate trace explosives on/in a highly functional nanostructured porous membrane. It features a throughput of at least six individuals/packages per minute, collecting enough sample material to be detected by a commercial trace-explosives detector. Each complete collection takes approximately 10 s to condense more than 1 L of air. For a trace level of PPB, this will yield a few nanograms of trace explosives, approximately 3 orders of magnitude more than the state-of-the-art detection limit (a few piecograms). The proposed V-TEST system is operationally safe, will require no consumables, and will draw less than 10 W of battery power. In Phase I POC will assemble a proof-of-concept prototype and test it on surrogates. In Phase II we will develop a prototype for laboratory and field testing, and estimate its collection efficiency. The TSA can use this system to screen passengers and baggage. The system will also benefit environmental pollution monitoring and military/peacekeeping security monitoring.