Titanium Alloy Encapsulation for Ceramic Armor Applications Using Powder Metallurgy Hot isostatic Pressing

This program addresses development of a portable system for real time, highly selective, reversible detection of chemical signatures of landmine explosives and explosive related compounds (ERCs), including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4-dinitrotoluene(DNT) and 1,3-dinitrobenzene (DNB). A mid-infrared (MIR) waveguide fiber optic sensor will be fabricated using selective polymer coatings to concentrate ERC vapors emanating from the mine. Selective absorption of MIR radiation by ERCs in the sensor filmresults in changes in transmitted radiation proportional to ERC concentration occurring at wavelengths characterisitic of the ERC. Information on landmine location and quantitative/chemical signature information identifying the type of device will beavailable. Phase I demonstrated feasibility using readily vaporizable analogs of ERCs containing nitro functional groups common to most explosives. Sensors responded immediately and continuously to the presence of these compounds. Detection limit fornitrobenzene, closely related to ERCs in chemical nature and surface activity, was 30 ppb with an unoptimized sensor. Phase II will involve further refinement and optimization of the sensor to achieve sub-ppb ERC detection in the presence of variablehumidity and temperature, characterization of long term sensor performance and integration with MIR spectrophotometric and microelectronic hardware for implementation in a mobile landmine sensor platform.