Targeted Surface Interrogation Scanning System

To address the DHS's need for a quick and efficient targeted surface interrogation technique to locate and detect trace residues of interest, including explosives and illicit drugs, on carry-on baggage and items, Intellisense Systems, Inc. proposes to develop a new rapid Targeted Surface Interrogation Scanning (TASIS) system, based on ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy and fast data processing/rendering software. Specifically, the inNvative implementation of an advanced UV Raman spectrometer combined with embedded data processing/rendering software allows rapid surface interrogation. Due to its Nvel optical design and use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components, the small, lightweight, low-cost TASIS system can rapidly perform surface interrogation for security screening. In Phase I, Intellisense will design the TASIS system to meet the DHS needs through a tradeoff study, theoretical calculation, and optical modeling. Intellisense will demonstrate the TASIS techNlogy by assembling a benchtop prototype and conducting experiments on selected explosives and illicit drugs. In Phase II, Intellisense will refine the TASIS design based on the Phase I results and mature the prototype development aimed at reducing size, weight, and power, cost, and detection time and will develop signal processing software to display the location and detection of explosives and illicit drugs within a few seconds. Commercial applications for TASIS include use for first responders and monitoring for the environment, industrial process, wastewater, and agriculture.