New Screening Device Detects Toxic Material in Concealed Packaging

Sandia National Laboratories has developed screening devices that identify hazardous and toxic materials, even if concealed by clothing and packaging. Working in the underutilized terahertz (THz) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that lies between microwaves and infrared, a team of Sandia scientists is building an integrated, miniaturized terahertz transmitter- receiver (transceiver). The technology can be used to scan for items such as concealed weapons or materials, explosives, and weapons of mass destruction. It also has applications in advanced communication systems and high-resolution radar.

The miniature toxic material screening device shown next to a dime to illustrateits size.

The researchers expect to have a working prototype capable of detecting materials and chemicals by reading distinctive molecular spectral “signatures.” Most materials and chemicals have their own unique terahertz spectral signatures, so a terahertz transceiver system would be able to measure, for example, the signature of a gas and determine what it is.

In addition to monitoring for concealed hazardous materials, a terahertz system can be used to monitor the air for toxic materials. Using air sampling technology developed at Sandia and other locations, hazardous vapors can be preconcentrated. Shining light from the quantum cascade laser through the concentrated sample provides a direct identification of the vapor. This technology can be used in conjunction with existing mass spectrometer-based systems to reduce false identifications.

For more information on the toxic material screening device, click here.