Apparatus and method for rapid detection of explosives residue from the deflagration signature thereof

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:870999

Funsten, Herbert O ^[1]; McComas, David J ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

Apparatus and method for rapid detection of explosives residue from the deflagration signature thereof. A property inherent to most explosives is their stickiness, resulting in a strong tendency of explosive particulate to contaminate the environment of a bulk explosive. An apparatus for collection of residue particulate, burning the collected particulate, and measurement of the optical emission produced thereby is described. The present invention can be utilized for real-time screening of personnel, cars, packages, suspected devices, etc., and provides an inexpensive, portable, and noninvasive means for detecting explosives.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 5638166
• OSTI ID: 870999
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

apparatus
method
rapid
detection
explosives
residue
deflagration
signature
property
inherent
stickiness
resulting
strong
tendency
explosive
particulate
contaminate
environment
bulk
collection
burning
collected
measurement
optical
emission
produced
described
utilized
real-time
screening
personnel
cars
packages
suspected
devices
etc
provides
inexpensive
portable
noninvasive
means
detecting
rapid detection
optical emission
deflagration signature
explosives residue
property inherent
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