Homeland security instrumentation

Vibrational spectroscopy, in the form of mid-IR, NIR and Raman spectroscopy has been featured extensively in industrial analyses, both quality control (QC), process monitoring applications and held-portable applications [1-6]. The latter has been aided by the need for advanced instrumentation for homeland security and related HazMat applications. Next to chromatography, it is the most widely purchased classihcation of instrumentation for these measurements and analyses. Spectroscopic methods in general are favored because they are relatively straightforward to apply and to implement, are rapid in terms of providing results, and are often more economical in terms of service, support and maintenance. Furthermore, a single spectrometer or spectral analyzer, in a near-line application, may serve many functions, whereas chromatographs (gas and liquid) tend to be dedicated to only a few methods at best. 

The past decade may be characterized by an intense research effort to improve the sensitivity and reliability of ion mobility-based instruments for detection of explosives and to expand the inventory of detectable explosive substances. In addition, improvements in sampling techniques have been proposed, standards for calibration of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) instruments and for method verification have been developed, and novel instrumental techniques based on laser ablation or electrospray ionization have been advanced. This has occurred due to the rising need for rapid, efficient, and reliable detectors of explosives that are used in acts of terrorism worldwide, as stated in many occasions (see Rame 12.1). Some idea about the scale of this trend can be gained from a recent report Austin, TX, 15 Septanber, 2011—Sales of Explosives, Weapons, and Contraband (EWC) Detection equipment to the world s airport authorities, amassed a significant 834.9 million in 2010, according to a recent study published by IMS Research, a leading provider of market research in the homeland security industry. ... 

Various mass spectrometers such as a single quadrupole, triple quadrupole, and quadrupole ITMSs are used for the detection of explosives. However, the ITMS has several advantages for homeland security applications. For example, the quadrupole ion trap has high sensitivity with a full scan mode and has tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) capabilities. Furthermore, the quadrupole ion trap is robust, and complicated calibrations are not necessary with this instrument format. 

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