Explosive Trace Detection by Stationary System Using Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry (DMS)

The detection of trace amounts of explosives of materials is important to ensure national security in the face of the growing threat of terrorist attacks. Of particular concern is the increasing use of homemade explosives. Consequently, there is a continuing need to improve current explosive trace detection technologies. This paper presents a stationary device (gate) for the detection of trace amounts of explosives/explosive taggants such as nitromethane (NM), trimeric acetone peroxide (TATP), hexamine peroxide (HMTD), and explosive taggants 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMDNB) and 4-nitrotoluene (4NT). Two differential ion mobility spectrometers were used for detection: one with a semi-permeable membrane (DMS1) and one without a semi-permeable membrane (DMS2). The stationary system demonstrated the ability to detect trace amounts of selected explosives and explosive taggants in as little as five seconds.