engleski

Field trials and improvements of a polymer-based explosive vapour sensor system

Explosive vapour sensors based on luminescent polymer films have been identified in recent years as a promising tool for the detection of landmines and IEDs. Advances in the development of a portable sensing platform based on these materials have been made recently, with characterisation performed in the laboratory prior to field trials being undertaken to assess the feasibility of the method. The vapour-sensing prototype initially developed used a micropump to sample air ; this proved unsuitable for field use due to sensitivity to weather. The prototype was upgraded to include a heating element, allowing polymer materials to act as “pre-concentrators” that increase the mass of explosive molecules in a REST filter configuration. One field trial was conducted in late summer in coastal Croatia with honeybee colonies used as the carriers of explosive molecules, with the hive air sampled for trace levels of explosives. Results from field trials are presented, with lessons learned for upcoming trials, and the future pathways to deployment are discussed.

vapour sensing, preconcentrators, REST filter

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