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van Damme IM, Mestres-Fitó P, Ramaker HJ, Hulsbergen AWC, van der Heijden AEDM, Kranenburg RF, van Asten AC. Rapid and On-Scene Chemical Identification of Intact Explosives with Portable Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Data Analysis. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:3804. [PMID: 37112149 PMCID: PMC10146942 DOI: 10.3390/s23083804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
There is an ongoing forensic and security need for rapid, on-scene, easy-to-use, non-invasive chemical identification of intact energetic materials at pre-explosion crime scenes. Recent technological advances in instrument miniaturization, wireless transfer and cloud storage of digital data, and multivariate data analysis have created new and very promising options for the use of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in forensic science. This study shows that in addition to drugs of abuse, portable NIR spectroscopy with multivariate data analysis also offers excellent opportunities to identify intact energetic materials and mixtures. NIR is able to characterize a broad range of chemicals of interest in forensic explosive investigations, covering both organic and inorganic compounds. NIR characterization of actual forensic casework samples convincingly shows that this technique can handle the chemical diversity encountered in forensic explosive investigations. The detailed chemical information contained in the 1350-2550 nm NIR reflectance spectrum allows for correct compound identification within a given class of energetic materials, including nitro-aromatics, nitro-amines, nitrate esters, and peroxides. In addition, the detailed characterization of mixtures of energetic materials, such as plastic formulations containing PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) and RDX (trinitro triazinane), is feasible. The results presented illustrate that the NIR spectra of energetic compounds and mixtures are sufficiently selective to prevent false-positive results for a broad range of food-related products, household chemicals, raw materials used for the production of home-made explosives, drugs of abuse, and products that are sometimes used to create hoax improvised explosive devices. However, for frequently encountered pyrotechnic mixtures, such as black powder, flash powder, and smokeless powder, and some basic inorganic raw materials, the application of NIR spectroscopy remains challenging. Another challenge is presented by casework samples of contaminated, aged, and degraded energetic materials or poor-quality HMEs (home-made explosives), for which the spectral signature deviates significantly from the reference spectra, potentially leading to false-negative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene M. van Damme
- Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497 GB Den Haag, The Netherlands
| | - Pol Mestres-Fitó
- Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Ramaker
- TIPb, Koningin Wilhelminaplein 30, 1062 KR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ruben F. Kranenburg
- Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Dutch National Police, Unit Amsterdam, Forensic Laboratory, Kabelweg 25, 1014 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arian C. van Asten
- Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497 GB Den Haag, The Netherlands
- Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Center (CLHC), Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Colorimetric optical nanosensors for trace explosive detection using metal nanoparticles: advances, pitfalls, and future perspective. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:367-379. [PMID: 33960382 DOI: 10.1042/etls20200281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Warfare threats and acts of terror are challenging situations encountered by defense agencies across the globe and are of growing concern to the general public, and security-minded policy makers. Detecting ultra-low quantities of explosive compounds in remote locations or under harsh conditions for anti-terror purposes as well as the environmental monitoring of residual or discarded explosives in soil, remains a major challenge. The use of metal nanoparticles (NPs) for trace explosive detection has drawn considerable interest in recent years. For nano-based explosive sensor devices to meet real-life operational demands, analytical parameters such as, long-shelf life, stability under harsh conditions, ease-of-use, high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and rapid signal response must be met. Generally, the analytical performance of colorimetric-based nanosensor systems is strongly dependent on the surface properties of the nanomaterial used in the colorimetric assay. The size and shape properties of metal NPs, surface functionalisation efficiency, and assay fabrication methods, are factors that influence the efficacy of colorimetric explosive nanosensor systems. This review reports on the design and analytical performances of colorimetric explosive sensor systems using metal NPs as optical signal transducers. The challenges of trace explosive detection, advances in metal NP colorimetric explosive design, limitations of each methods, and possible strategies to mitigate the problems are discussed.
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Campbell IA, Turnbull GA. A kinetic model of thin-film fluorescent sensors for strategies to enhance chemical selectivity. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:10791-10798. [PMID: 33913452 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp00835h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Thin film chemical sensors are widely used in environmental and industrial applications due to their scalable fabrication and high sensitivity, however they often suffer from low specificity limiting their ability to discriminate between analytes. In this paper we analyse the influence of molecular diffusion and binding interactions on the optical response of thin film fluorescent chemical sensors. We use a computational model to calculate the dynamics of fluorescence quenching due to sorption and desorption of analyte molecules, and compare this with experimental measurements of a conjugated polymer sensor for nitroaromatic vapour. We find that to increase selectivity, such sensors should use thinner films, analyses should concentrate on the recovery dynamics, and sensor materials should be chosen to provide sensor-analyte combinations where diffusion is hindered by strong sensor-analyte binding interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain A Campbell
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, North Haugh, Fife, KY16 9SS, Scotland.
| | - Graham A Turnbull
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, North Haugh, Fife, KY16 9SS, Scotland.
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To KC, Ben-Jaber S, Parkin IP. Recent Developments in the Field of Explosive Trace Detection. ACS NANO 2020; 14:10804-10833. [PMID: 32790331 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c01579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Explosive trace detection (ETD) technologies play a vital role in maintaining national security. ETD remains an active research area with many analytical techniques in operational use. This review details the latest advances in animal olfactory, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), and Raman and colorimetric detection methods. Developments in optical, biological, electrochemical, mass, and thermal sensors are also covered in addition to the use of nanomaterials technology. Commercially available systems are presented as examples of current detection capabilities and as benchmarks for improvement. Attention is also drawn to recent collaborative projects involving government, academia, and industry to highlight the emergence of multimodal screening approaches and applications. The objective of the review is to provide a comprehensive overview of ETD by highlighting challenges in ETD and providing an understanding of the principles, advantages, and limitations of each technology and relating this to current systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Chuen To
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Sultan Ben-Jaber
- Department of Science and Forensics, King Fahad Security College, Riyadh 13232, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ivan P Parkin
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
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CHENG C, NAWAZ MAH, LIU CY, SHAHZAD SA, ZHOU HP, YU C, JIN X. Phenothiazine and BN-doped AIE Probes Integrated Fluorescence Sensor Array for Detection and Discrimination of Nitro Explosives. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(20)60034-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Mistek E, Fikiet MA, Khandasammy SR, Lednev IK. Toward Locard's Exchange Principle: Recent Developments in Forensic Trace Evidence Analysis. Anal Chem 2018; 91:637-654. [PMID: 30404441 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Mistek
- Department of Chemistry , University at Albany, SUNY , 1400 Washington Avenue , Albany , New York 12222 , United States
| | - Marisia A Fikiet
- Department of Chemistry , University at Albany, SUNY , 1400 Washington Avenue , Albany , New York 12222 , United States
| | - Shelby R Khandasammy
- Department of Chemistry , University at Albany, SUNY , 1400 Washington Avenue , Albany , New York 12222 , United States
| | - Igor K Lednev
- Department of Chemistry , University at Albany, SUNY , 1400 Washington Avenue , Albany , New York 12222 , United States
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Wang T, Ramnarayanan A, Cheng H. Real Time Analysis of Bioanalytes in Healthcare, Food, Zoology and Botany. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2017; 18:E5. [PMID: 29267256 PMCID: PMC5795934 DOI: 10.3390/s18010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The growing demand for real time analysis of bioanalytes has spurred development in the field of wearable technology to offer non-invasive data collection at a low cost. The manufacturing processes for creating these sensing systems vary significantly by the material used, the type of sensors needed and the subject of study as well. The methods predominantly involve stretchable electronic sensors to monitor targets and transmit data mainly through flexible wires or short-range wireless communication devices. Capable of conformal contact, the application of wearable technology goes beyond the healthcare to fields of food, zoology and botany. With a brief review of wearable technology and its applications to various fields, we believe this mini review would be of interest to the reader in broad fields of materials, sensor development and areas where wearable sensors can provide data that are not available elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Wang
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Ashwin Ramnarayanan
- School of Engineering Design, Technology and Professional Programs, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Huanyu Cheng
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
- Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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