Nanomaterial can detect and neutralise explosives

Funded by the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism and the National Science Foundation, the team developed several detection and neutralisation products, including sprays and drops, as well as electronic monitoring systems. The development of the nanomaterial, which was unveiled at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, presents a major opportunity to relax laws inflicted on the public when taking liquids as carry on luggage. The material is effectively a type of ink made of tiny metallic oxide nanoparticles. According to Oklahoma State University Chemistry Professor, Allen Apblett, who led the team, these are so small that approximately 50,000 could fit inside the diameter of a single human hair. "The ink changes colour, from dark blue to pale yellow or clear, in the presence of explosives," he said. "It also changes from a metallic conductor to a non-conducting material, making electronic sensing possible." This colour change feature allows the material to work as a sensor for quickly detecting the presence of vapours produced by explosives. "Soldiers or firefighters could wear the sensors as badges on their uniforms or use them as paper based test strips," said Prof Apblett. "Airports, subways and other facilities could also use the sensors as part of stationary monitoring devices. They could even be engineered into jewellery and cell phones." When used as an electronic sensor, the highly sensitive material is capable of detecting TATP vapours at levels as low as 50ppm, equivalent to a few drops of the vapour in a small room, within 30s. The same chemical reaction allows the materials to serve as an explosives neutraliser. "Firefighters and bomb squad technicians could spray the ink onto bombs or suspicious packages until the colour change indicates that the devices are no longer a threat," said Apblett. "Technicians could also dump the explosives into vats containing the ink to neutralise them." Apblett and his team have since founded a company called Xplosafe to develop and market the material and expect it to be seen in mainstream application within a year. "This stuff is going to be used anywhere terrorist explosives are used, including battlefields, airports and undergrounds," he concluded. "It's going to save lives."