News Article — published 4/21/03 DAC TD
21 April 03
A portable near infrared (NIR) spectrometer has been adapted for real time, on-site identification of solid explosives. The instrument, a commercial product of Analytical Spectral Devices (ASD, Boulder CO), uses a contact fiber optic probe and displays results on the supplied notebook computer. The device classifies unknown materials by comparing their NIR spectra to a database or library of some 50 military and commercial explosives.

The system requires minimal operator training, and no sample preparation or chemical reagents. The operator, after applying the flexible, one-meter probe to the unknown material for 8 seconds, reads a screen display that identifies the material as TNT, C4, Ammonium Nitrate, etc. Materials not previously categorized trigger a “Not in Library” response. Spectra from new material types can be saved for later incorporation into the library. Facilitating this process is pcAnywhere remote access software and an internal modem. These features will allow the developers and other laboratory personnel to review and manipulate field-generated data remotely.

The instrument is self-calibrating. Internal diagnostics for monitoring instrument performance are available. Routine maintenance is limited to periodic changes of the self-aligning tungsten-halogen light source. The supplied battery allows approximately two hours of continuous operation before recharging.

The application, funded by Defense Ammunition Center’s Technical Directorate, was developed by GEO-CENTERS chemists at TACOM-ARDEC, with assistance from ASD and Applied Chemometrics (Sharon, MA) scientists. Anticipated users include EOD personnel, QASAS, and ammunition handlers.

See more information about analysis of explosives.