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Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Research and Development of High-performance Explosives
Published on: February 20, 2016
Field Explosives Detectors-Current Status and Development Prospects.
Dariusz Augustyniak1, Mateusz Szala1
1Faculty of New Technologies and Chemistry, Department of Explosives, Military University of Technology, S. Kaliskiego 2, 00-908 Warsaw, Poland.
This review assesses mobile explosive detectors, finding that multi-technique approaches significantly improve accuracy and reduce false alarms for security and defense applications. Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) and Raman Spectroscopy (RS) are key technologies.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Mobile detectors are crucial for explosive identification in security, defense, and emergency response.
- Existing technologies include Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy (RS), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), and Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the performance of approximately 80 commercially available mobile detectors for explosive identification.
- To analyze the capabilities, limitations, and technological trends of current detection systems.
- To provide guidance for the development and selection of mobile detection technologies.
Main Methods:
- Review of approximately 80 commercially available mobile explosive detection devices.
- Analysis of detection techniques including IMS, FTIR, RS, GC-MS, LIF, and QCM.
- Evaluation of device sensitivities, detection limits (ppt, ppb, ppm, nanogram), and the use of orthogonal analytical techniques.
Main Results:
- IMS-based instruments show sensitivities from ppt to ppm levels.
- GC-MS systems offer detection limits in the ppb range.
- Only four devices utilize two orthogonal analytical techniques for enhanced reliability and reduced false alarms.
- Traditional colorimetric tests remain relevant.
Conclusions:
- Multi-technique approaches are essential for improving accuracy, efficiency, and operational effectiveness in real-world explosive detection.
- The findings guide the development and selection of advanced mobile detection technologies.
- Combining orthogonal techniques enhances detection reliability and minimizes false alarms.

