Lab proven technologies applied to threat detection in the field
From routine security monitoring and surveillance to emergency response situations, we’ve applied advanced technology to help safety and security professionals detect and mitigate hazardous materials. These technologies enhance the ability to quickly and accurately detect and identify chemicals, narcotics, explosives, and radiological threats to keep first responders and the public safe.
FTIR spectroscopy
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a form of vibrational spectroscopy that provides excellent selectivity for material identification in applications such as hazmat, unknown chemical identification, and explosives precursor identification.
In FTIR spectroscopy, the unknown substance is illuminated with a broad-spectrum of infrared light. Light is absorbed in varying amounts by the sample at particular frequencies that correspond to the bonds of the molecules in the sample. Since the bonds for every molecule are different, a spectral "fingerprint" can be generated by recording the absorbance of light as a function of wavelength, thus the unknown material can be accurately identified.
Raman spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy is a molecular analysis technique that uses visible wavelengths (shorter than infrared) to enable users to safely analyze explosive materials through sealed translucent containers, in their native form as found in the field, without disturbing the sample and without sample preparation.
Chemical identification analyzers using Raman can recognize thousands of potential explosives including: TATP (triacetone triperoxide), ammonium nitrate, TNT (trinitrotoluene), RDX (cyclonite) and HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxidediamine). Additionally, these instruments are capable of identifying explosive precursors in liquid mixtures including hydrogen peroxide, fuel oil, acetone, sulfuric acid, and more.
To aid in identification, the device collects the molecular fingerprint of an unknown sample, and then compares the substance against the onboard chemical library, typically providing results in a matter of seconds.
Chemical analysis software
HazMasterG3®, from Alluviam LLC, is an advanced decision support tool that has been integrated into handheld chemical identification instruments. The system provides key chemical insights to help interpret the analyzer’s results and provides situational awareness of potential hazards associated with a cache of chemicals, radiation readings, or an unknown piece of ordnance.
The intuitive software helps to answer real-world, on-site questions that enable a more meaningful response by investigators. Rather than simply identifying component substances and precursors, the interactive system can help determine what the chemical components are likely being used to formulate, how much could be made, what are the missing components, what could be used to synthesize missing elements, etc.
It is the only CBRNE / HME / IED support software to have earned a US Department of Homeland Security certification for approved anti-terrorism technology.
Radiation detection with natural background rejection (NBR)
Radiation detectors utilize technology that separates atoms into positive ions and electrons, which are then attracted to electrodes, causing a current to flow and an electric signal to be generated. These electric signals can be measured as the amount of radiation. However, in real-world, field settings, naturally occurring radiation exists in varying levels from the earth and atmosphere, which can obscure and confuse targeted detection efforts.
Natural Background Rejection (NBR) is a technology used to eliminate fluctuating natural background levels while measuring radiation. This proprietary and patented technology is used to quickly differentiate between natural and artificial radiation by stripping away any natural background radiation that is registering, delivering you a more accurate result of artificial radiation levels. Operators using instruments without NBR often set their alarm thresholds higher to eliminate the nuisances of false alarms or ignore alarms due to their frequency potentially missing out on hidden or shielded sources. Using an instrument with NBR allows you to keep your alarm threshold extremely low without the need to worry about false alarms from non-threatening sources so when the alarm goes off, you know it is time to take action.
Dosimetry
Dosimetry instruments measure and monitor the radiation dose absorbed in the body resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation. Some jobs regularly expose workers to limited amounts of radiation, and workers are required to wear a dosimeter in order to monitor and track cumulative radiation exposure against a prescribed annual radiation dose limit. Safety and security personnel, especially those tasked with threat detection, can be protected by monitoring any exposure using dosimetry technology. Similarly, working environments where radiation exposure could occur can be monitored over a large area using environmental dosimetry systems.
