RUI: Addressing critical challenges in trace explosives detection through fundamental research in electrochemical science

RUI：通过电化学科学的基础研究解决痕量爆炸物检测的关键挑战

• 批准号: 1503634
• 负责人: Praveen Sekhar
• 金额: $ 22.78万
• 依托单位: Washington State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-07-15 至 2018-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1503634&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Addressing; critical; challenges; trace

Abstract : Addressing the existing deficiencies in trace explosives detection through fundamental research in electrochemical scienceNon-Technical:Terrorists today are using a diverse palette of threats. There is no single technology that can detect a wide variety of explosives. The goal of this research is to address existing deficiencies in trace explosives detection such as high detector cost, low sensitivity, susceptibility to interferences and high detection limits by investigating a promising electrochemical sensor technology. The research objective is to enhance the performance of the promising electrochemical sensor technology by understanding how explosive vapors react with sensors while engineering the sensor device architecture to meet the rigorous sensitivity and selectivity demands in field conditions. A two-order-of-magnitude reduction in detector cost as compared to existing screening systems in airports such as Smiths IONSCAN is envisioned. The approach of using a new signal conditioning technique to concurrently improve sensitivity and selectivity in explosives detection is poised to transform current practices in augmenting electrochemical sensor performance.An unknown but probably large number of civilian users will benefit from the knowledge of screening threats. The proposed research will enable security forces (civilian, military, industrial) to have inexpensive detectors for instant, on-the-spot screening of suspicious substances or trace detection from a surface sampling. Broader uses are easy to envision - e.g., citizen involvement in widespread air quality monitoring using the proposed low-cost electrochemical gas sensors. A cohesive outreach plan with three major thrusts is planned as part of this research: summer camp for high school students, teacher training workshop, and job training for veterans.Technical:The goal of this research is to solve critical barriers such as high detector cost, low sensitivity, susceptibility to interferences, and high detection limits impeding trace detection and robust discrimination of explosives in field conditions. A mixed potential based electrochemical gas sensing mechanism is envisioned to address the current challenges in explosives detection. The research objective is to investigate the sensor-analyte interaction and engineer the electrochemical interface to augment the sensitivity and selectivity while lowering the detection limit and cost in screening explosives under field conditions. The approach is to (a) theoretically understand the thermal decomposition of the analyte to improve the limits of detection; (b) study heterogeneous gas phase catalysis to improve the sensitivity; (c) explore a novel signal conditioning technique to improve the sensitivity and selectivity amidst strong interference; (d) investigate unique electrochemical signature to impart the required selectivity; (e) implement low-cost paper based sensor platform to minimize detector cost; and (f) independently validate the test results and pursue field testing at Portland International Airport.The approach of using a new signal conditioning technique to concurrently improve sensitivity and selectivity in explosives detection is poised to transform current practices in augmenting electrochemical sensor performance. Implementing a paper based explosive sensor platform will pave the way for a new generation of electrochemical sensors. The research results might lead to a breakthrough in explosives screening with potential detection limits of parts per trillion (pg/mL), a 1000:1 specificity (out of every 1000 positive IDs, 1 is false), and an estimated two-order magnitude reduction in detector cost all as compared to the gold standard Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry detector systems. The research results will be a quantum leap in the implementation of simple and inexpensive detectors for instant, on-the-spot screening of suspicious substances vital to a vast number of anticipated users.

摘要：通过电化学科学的基础研究解决痕量爆炸物检测方面的现有缺陷非技术：今天的恐怖分子正在使用各种各样的威胁。没有一种单一的技术可以检测各种各样的爆炸物。本研究的目的是通过研究一种有前途的电化学传感器技术来解决痕量爆炸物检测中存在的缺陷，例如检测器成本高、灵敏度低、易受干扰和检测限高。研究目标是通过了解爆炸性蒸汽如何与传感器反应，同时设计传感器设备架构以满足现场条件下严格的灵敏度和选择性要求，来提高有前途的电化学传感器技术的性能。一个两个数量级的减少检测器的成本相比，现有的筛选系统在机场，如史密斯IONSCAN的设想。使用一种新的信号调理技术，同时提高敏感性和选择性的爆炸物检测的方法是准备改变目前的做法，在增强电化学传感器的performance.A未知的，但可能大量的平民用户将受益于知识的筛选威胁。拟议的研究将使安全部队（民用、军事、工业）能够拥有廉价的探测器，用于即时、现场筛查可疑物质或从表面取样进行痕量探测。更广泛的用途很容易想象-例如，使用所提出的低成本电化学气体传感器，公民参与广泛的空气质量监测。作为本研究的一部分，计划了一个有三个主要目标的有凝聚力的外展计划：高中生夏令营，教师培训研讨会和退伍军人的工作培训。技术：本研究的目标是解决关键的障碍，如高检测器成本，低灵敏度，易受干扰，高检测限阻碍痕量检测和现场条件下的爆炸物的强大的歧视。基于混合电位的电化学气体传感机制被设想用于解决爆炸物检测中的当前挑战。研究目的是研究传感器与分析物的相互作用，并设计电化学界面，以提高灵敏度和选择性，同时降低现场条件下筛选爆炸物的检测限和成本。该方法是（a）从理论上理解分析物的热分解以提高检测限;（B）研究非均相气相催化以提高灵敏度;（c）探索新的信号调理技术以提高在强干扰下的灵敏度和选择性;（d）研究独特的电化学特征以赋予所需的选择性;（e）研究非均相气相催化以提高灵敏度。（e）采用低成本纸基传感器平台，以尽量减少探测器成本;以及（f）独立验证测试结果，并在波特兰国际机场进行现场测试。使用新的信号调节技术同时提高爆炸物检测的灵敏度和选择性的方法有望改变目前的做法，电化学传感器性能实现基于纸的爆炸物传感器平台将为新一代电化学传感器铺平道路。 研究结果可能导致爆炸物筛选的突破，其潜在检测限为万亿分之一（pg/mL），特异性为1000：1（每1000个阳性ID中，1个是假的），并且与金标准气相色谱-质谱检测器系统相比，检测器成本估计降低了两个数量级。研究结果将是实现简单廉价探测器的一个巨大飞跃，用于即时、现场筛查对大量预期用户至关重要的可疑物质。