Scientists create laser that detects explosives

A new technology of laser sensors can detect hidden explosives was developed by scientists in the UK.
According to researchers at the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland, the device could help locate landmines and bombs hidden in the roads, as well as improving security at airports.
The team produced the laser "inflating" a type of plastic, called polifluoreno, with photons from a source of light.
As stated in the journal Advanced Functional Materials (Advanced Functional Materials), found that the laser reacted to release explosive vapors such as TNT (trinitrotoluene).

Detector molecules

Dr Graham Turnbull, one of the physicists who participated in the study, explains that created a mechanism capable of detecting TNT-like molecules that are frequently used in explosives, at extremely low concentrations of less than 10 ppb (parts per billion).

"On land mines in Iraq or Afghanistan floats a cloud of steam and very weak diluted explosive molecules which consists of the bomb," the researcher continued."A small number of these molecules similar to TNT in contact with the plastic film that is made the laser interacts with molecules that emit light on and off the laser light emission," he adds.

The scientist explains that this type TNT molecules interact with polymer chain offers a whole new way to "turn on and off" the operation of the laser.

According to Dr. Ifor Samuel, another of the scientists involved in the study once they have developed these mechanisms could detect any explosive device, including roadside bombs, called improvised explosive devices (IED, for its acronym in English ), which are a serious problem in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This technology is important because, because they are made of plastic, polymer lasers could easily occur because the laser would have a new property," says the researcher.

The technique was already used in the past but, as noted by Dr. Turnbull, this is the first time researchers used a laser plastic.

This, he says, allows detection of much lower concentrations of vapors of explosives.

Robot dog

He believes this type of laser could be used, for example, a robotic vehicle, perhaps remotely controlled, which is able to "smell" a minefield and detect clouds of steam.

"In a dusty road in Afghanistan there are relatively few things that may give a false positive and certainly the technology would have potential in this area. Essentially, we are creating an artificial nose for a robotic dog," said Dr. Turnbull.

According to Pentagon figures, in 2009 killed 3736 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan as a result caused by IED blasts.
More recent studies estimate that in four years, FDI has been responsible for 40% of the deaths of allied military forces in Iraq.
The technology, however, could also have civilian uses. Dr. Turbull believes the system could be a tool for improving security at airports, to be able to detect explosive vapors found in the luggage of travelers.

But a key factor in this type of plastic laser technology is that its production would have a relatively low cost because the polifluoreno is widely available.