How Science Helped Detect The Powerful Explosive TATP In Unidentified Objects

Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is a powerful explosive without military use because it is very sensitive to mechanical shock and so very difficult to safely handling, a reason for which terrorists dubbed TATP “the Mother of Satan”. TATP is easily prepared Read More …

The Pentagon’s IED-Hunters Have a New Target: Drones

After a decade of ups and downs, JIDO has added the counter-UAV mission. A short list of U.S. military outfits that develop tools and techniques to fight enemy drones includes DARPA, the services’ research labs — and now, the group created more than Read More …

Imperial team develops devices to detect nuclear materials used in dirty bombs

Imperial physicists Dr Antonin Vacheret and Dr Sakari Ihantola have developed two devices for detecting nuclear materials. The devices, currently being commercialised, are designed to make border security checks more effective, and also have application in environmental assessments. Radiological material Read More …

Researchers develop technique that could detect explosives, dangerous gases rapidly and remotely

University of Michigan researchers have developed a laser-based method that could be used to detect chemicals such as explosives and dangerous gases quickly and accurately. Eventually, this method could be used in systems placed in airports, for the environmental monitoring Read More …

Fluorescent polymer detects traces of explosive devices

Bomb plots could be thwarted with the help of a portable system for detecting traces of high explosives using fluorescent polymer nanoparticles, developed by A*STAR. Coated on to paper, these polymers display an explosive-detection performance far more robust than previous Read More …