Indian scientists have developed a cost-effective portable sensor that can trace explosives and toxic metals such as trinitrotoluene (TNT), trinitrophenol (TNP) and RDX even if just a few molecules are present, on the scale of parts per million (ppm). The senor, a solution, can be easily carried in public spaces like airports, railway and hotels or sensitive areas to counter terrorism.
Developed by Dr CV Yelamaggad, and his team from Bengaluru-based Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, the solution works on the simple visual detection technique.
Talking about the concept, Dr Yelamaggad, who has been working on the technique for last 3 years, said, “It employs a fluorescent material known as coordination polymer, a hybrid system originating from the interaction between organic and inorganic moieties. This system being electron rich acts as an electron source.
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Source: The Pioneer