EnSpectr for Explosives Identification - Application Notes

© Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com Explosives Identification with Portable Raman 80 explosives’ spectra database acquired with EnSpectr R532® Almost any scientific achievement or development which initial idea is to help the humankind can be altered into a weapon against it. As our history states, some chemicals once discovered as dyes or medicines, were applied as powerful explosives and currently are considered to be prohibited substances. According to the research of the Institute for Economics and Peace in collaboration with University of Maryland, during last 10 years only 31 countries (from 158 being examined) didn't experience terrorism. The US department of States reports about 10 000 terroristic attacks and over 12.5 thousand people killed in 2011. That is why rapid and precise identification of explosives is being one of the main tasks for homeland defense, and became accessible with introduction of portable Raman systems highly applicable for this task. Each passenger of air flights knows that carrying over 100 ml of liquid substance in a hand luggage is not allowed. This policy would never exist if security service was able to identify precisely the content of our bottles and get sure that it is water or medicine inside, not explosives or its component. On the other hand, it is possible to construct a very dangerous liquid bomb just combining liquids from three 100 ml bottles. From this point of view it would be even more proper to identify content of all bottles in hand luggage, but this procedure will certainly lead to a “bottle neck“at security check. It’s always a problem for policemen and military men to check in situ whether the person is carrying a dangerous substance or not. Should they spend time on arrest if unknown substance might turn to be soda, sugar or glycerine? Laboratory examination takes several days, and all possible side effects for innocent offender are always have to be taken into consideration. In both situations Raman Analyzer EnSpectr® will become an invaluable support, instantly detecting explosives and its components right through transparent package. _____ RDX © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com EnSpectr R532® for Explosives Identification In 2013 EnSpectr R532® was tested by Expert Criminalistics Center of Moscow Internal Affairs Department specializing in explosives and prohibited substances' detection. During these measurements about 80 spectra of wide spread and dangerous explosive substances were acquired and now form a reference database, containing ultimately precise spectra (conditions for measurements were: 75-1000ms exposure time and 100 acquisition cycles). See above the spectrum of RDX measured by EnSpectr R532® for the spectra library. To verify the instrument’s functionality and applicability for quick and accurate analysis, EnSpectr R532® passed through an additional exam where 17 unknown solid and liquids explosives were to be identified in laboratory conditions with time limits. The samples (quantity = 50mg) were identified for 0.075-3s accumulation time for each sample. 100% of the samples were identified correctly. These results were achieved due to unique features of EnSpectr R532®: ? High spatial resolution 20µm allows measuring 10-5g of substance without a sample stage and less than 10-6g with a sample stage ? Ultimate safety: laser 532nm usually works on 12mW, which is safer for eyes and secures explosive substances from detonation and burning. If there is no detonation or burning danger you can increase the laser power up to 30mW and vice versa - decrease the power if there is such a danger. Usually it is not a problem since most of the explosives have very strong Raman spectra ? Rapid analysis: time per measurement < 3 seconds ? Superb sensitivity: even with laser power of 12mW EnSpectr R532® perfectly acquires spectrum from 1 piece of substance with high speed and extra quality. Most of competitors can hardly get such a spectrum quality even with 250-500mW lasers for 1 second, which are much more dangerous and suppose that a rather big amount of explosive should be measured to get a result, though it increases a risk of explosion ? Data transmission via Bluetooth: this option is complimentary and can guarantee additional security of the user ? Portability: optional in-built accumulator supports over 6 hours of off-line operation We achieved fantastic results during instrument’s examination using a unit without a sample stage and two types of attachments: vial holder and coverslip holder. © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com Methodology For identification of 14 samples we placed them in vials (quantity = 50mg) and used standard 1s acquisition time. The recognition process ran smoothly; installation, measurement, and recognition of explosive’ sample through vial took us in general 5s only. Due to a specific form and size of some solids (as shown on the picture with a vial), 3 of 17 substances were positioned between two cover glasses in a coverslip holder and measured. Below is an example of one piece substance that was measured using a coverslip holder. Step 1: Place a cover glass into attachment and place a piece of substance over the hole Step 2: Cover accurately with a second cover glass Step 3: Make sure that a piece of substance is places correctly Step 4: Carefully twist a cover for holder Using coverslip holder and cover glass for explosives’ measurement 1 2 3 4 © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com Measurements 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) State: Powder Molecular Formula: C7H5N3O6 TNT is commonly used for military and industrial applications and is valued because of its insensitivity to shock and friction, which reduces the risk of accidental detonation. The historical fact is that TNT was first prepared in 1863 by German chemist Julius Wilbran and originally used as a yellow dye. Starting the measurements we never knew the name of substance. Our examiners were extremely surprised with how fast (1s exposure time, 1 acquisition cycle), clear (0.959 correlation with database) and easy the identification of a small amount of this powder through the vial was. The comparison of the acquired spectrum of TNT with the reference one states the high quality of express measurements. The spectrum below was taken with 100 acquisition cycles against 1 cycle for the one above: the purity of spectrum is obvious. 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com 1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-Triazacyclohexane (Hexogen, RDX) Molecular Formula: C3H6N6O6 State: Powder The 1993 Bombay bombings were the first terrorist blasts in Mumbai which used RDX by placement into several vehicles as bombs. Outside of military applications, RDX is also used in controlled demolition to raze structures. Hexogen (RDX) with different plasticizers was identified correctly in the vials #15 and 16. Only 125ms we need to detect RDX in the sample #15. The samples of RDX #15-16 were produced in different countries, and different substances were used to plasticize it. Fortunately most of explosives give so strong Raman spectrum that the instrument easily finds them among other substances. Spectrum of RDX (sample #15) acquired within 125ms © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com 1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-Tetraazacyclooctane Molecular Formula: C4H8N8O8 (HMX, Octogen, Homocyclonite, HW 4) State: Powder During World War II, under the code name Aunt Jemima, HMX was mixed with flour and used by Chinese guerrillas to disrupt the Japanese invasion and occupation of China. The mixture could easily pass for regular flour. It could even be cooked into pancakes without exploding and eaten without poisoning anyone. Uneaten pancakes or unused dough could still be used later for its original explosive purposes. Spectrum of RDX (sample #16) acquired within 500ms © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine Molecular Formula: C7H5N5O8 (Tetryl) State: Powder Tetryl is a sensitive secondary high explosive used as a booster, a small charge placed next to the detonator in order to propagate detonation into the main explosive charge. 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol (Picric Acid, Shimose, Melinite) Molecular Formula: C6H3N3O7 State: Powder The reaction of Picric acid is highly exothermic, and careful temperature control is required. In the early 20th century, picric acid was stocked in pharmacies as an antiseptic and as a treatment for burns, malaria, herpes, and smallpox. © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com 1,2-ethanedioldinitrate (EGND, Ethylene glycol dinitrate) Molecular Formula: C2H4N2O6 State: Powder EGDN was used in manufacturing explosives to lower the freezing point of nitroglycerin, in order to produce dynamite for use in colder weather. 1,5-Dinitronaphthalene State: Powder Molecular Formula: C10H6N2O4) 1,5-Dinitronaphthalene is an intermediate for dyes (e.g. naphthazarin and naphthalenediamine), and is used in the munitions industry as a component in the formulation of nitrate explosives. © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com 1H-Tetrazole (Tetrazole) State: Powder Molecular Formula: CH2N4 Although tetrazole is used for its explosive or combustive properties, sometimes tetrazole is used as a component of gas generators in automobile airbags. While measuring tetrazole, EnSpectr R532® demonstrated super sensitivity (75ms and 1 acquisition cycle for identification). Nitrotriazolone (NTO) State: Solid Molecular Formula: C2H3N4O3 Nitrotriazolone is a commercially available explosive, and is used in automobile airbags as an alternative to lead azide. It is also being studied in military applications, as a component of insensitive high explosives. © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene-1,3-diol Molecular Formula: C6H3N3O8 (Styphnic acid, Trinitroresorcine, 2,4,6-Trinitroresorcinole) State: Solid Styphnic acid is used in manufacturing of dyes, pigments, inks, medicines, and explosives such as lead styphnate. It has a low sensitivity, similar to picric acid, but explodes upon rapid heating. Benzofuroxan State: Liquid Molecular Formula: C6H4N2O2 Benzofuroxan is used as an explosive in the fixed charges of detonators. The successful and rapid measurements of this and the following liquid explosives demonstrate that EnSpectr R532 might become an essential instrument for liquids’ examination in airports. © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com Nitrobenzene State: Liquid Molecular Formula: C6H5NO2 The production of nitrobenzene is one of the most dangerous processes conducted in the chemical industry because of the exothermicity of reaction. Redistilled, as oil of mirbane, nitrobenzene has been used as an inexpensive perfume for soaps. Dinitroxydiethylnitramine (DINA) State: Liquid Molecular Formula: C2H4N4O8 DINA is relatively stable, but may be detonated by significant shock, or percussion – it is easily detonated by primary explosives. © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com 3-Nitrooxy-2,2-bis(nitrooxymethyl)propyl nitrate Molecular Formula: C5H8N4O12 (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate, PETN, TEN, Corpent) State: Powder PETN is very difficult to detect because it has a very low vapor pressure at room temperature; many times PETN bomb could not be detected by X-ray screening or trained sniffer dogs. From the other hand, nearly pure PETN is used as a vasodilator drug to treat certain heart conditions, such as for management of angina. The PETN spectrum below was measured within 125ms, nevertheless the correlator of recognition differs just slightly (0,831 against 0,834). © Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. www.EnSpectr.com | info@enspectr.com Enhanced Spectrometry, Inc. 800 West El Camino Real Suite 180, Mountain View, CA 94040 USA 2, Academician Osipyan st., Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, 142432 Russia www.EnSpectr.com Phone: +7 (49652) 24044 | E-mail: info@enspectr.com