Technology:
Based on Microsensors, High Sensitivity & High Speed Electronic Instrumentation, and Intelligent Mathematical Algorithms.
Nanosniff’s MEMS Microheater based ETD instrument satisfies all the requirements of an effective platform for the trace detection of explosives. Its Physics based approach uses Micro Differential Thermal Analysis) to distinguish explosives from non-explosives. The Micro-DTA facilitates recording of a calorimetric profile for nanograms of materials when they are rapidly heated to high temperature. The profile comprises a combination of sublimation, melting, evaporation and deflagration for the sample material. Using this profile, it is possible to distinguish explosives from non-explosives. The detection decision is backed by high-speed algorithms & sophisticated signal processing algorithms. Currently it can detect even less than 10 nanograms of explosives. The sensitivity capability was validated by HEMRL (DRDO Lab at Pune). Our approach has been to detect ‘classes’ of explosives; we have been successful in that. Since the approach is Physics based – it applies to other materials of the same class.
Operation:
In the use case scenario, the user will ‘swipe’ the surface of persons, vehicles, & bags; and will collect explosives particles on a Swipe. This Swipe will be inserted into the instrument, where, through certain techniques, the collected sample will be transferred to the Microheater sensor. Using the principle of differential calorimetry the Microheater detects whether the sample collected on the Swipe was an explosive or not.
Features & Specifications:
- Start-up Time: less than 2 minutes from cold.
- Sampling: Swipes are used for collecting the samples.
- Sample phase: Trace particles.
- Analysis Time: Less than 10 seconds.
- Sensitivity: Can detect less than 10 ng of Explosives Traces.
- Selectivity: Less than 3% false positive.
- Alerts: Visible & audible alerts.
- Explosives Detected: Detects all Classes military, conventional, homemade explosives.
- Purging Duration: Less than 30 seconds.
- 8 inch TFT display.
- In-built printer for printing transaction reports.
List of Illustrative (but not limited to) Classes & Explosives that can be Detected:
- Nitramines: RDX, HMX etc
- Nitroesters: PETN etc
- Nitroaromatics: TNT etc
- Nitrosamines: R-Salt
- Peroxides: TATP
- Inorganic Nitrates: Ammonium Nitrate & Urea Nitrate with Fuel Oil
- Chlorate & Perchlorates: KClO4 with Phosphorous
- Smokeless powder: NitroGlycerine, Ethyl Centralite etc
- Plastic Explosives: PEK, LTPE, Sheet Explosives
System Interface:
- Data Management: Export to external storage drive through USB port.
- Data storage: Stores upto 15000 Tests Data Internally.
- User levels: Service, Administrator, Operator.
- Ambient Operating Temperature: -5 °C to 55°C.
- Operating Humidity: 5% to 90% RH non-condensing.
- Storage temperature: -10 °C to 50°C.