Explosives detectionNew 2-in-1 explosive detector and neutralizer
A two-in-one material that can both detect and neutralize explosives of the type favored by terrorists is unveiled; the material is made of metal oxide nanoparticles so small that 50,000 could fit across the width of a single human hair; it changes color in the presence of certain explosives, alerting emergency responders to the threat; it also can be sprayed onto bombs or suspicious packages to inactivate certain explosives
A two-in-one material that can both detect and neutralize explosives of the type favored by terrorists is the topic of the latest episode in the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions podcast.
An ACS release reports that the detector/neutralizer is a material made of metal oxide nanoparticles so small that 50,000 could fit across the width of a single human hair. It changes color in the presence of certain explosives, alerting emergency responders to the threat. The material also can be sprayed onto bombs or suspicious packages to inactivate certain explosives, according to Allen Apblett, Ph.D., study leader. “This stuff is going to be used anywhere terrorist explosives are, says Apblett, who reported at the ACS’ 241st National Meeting & Exposition in Anaheim, California.
Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions is a podcast describing some of the twenty-first century’s problems, and how research in chemistry matters in the search solutions. Global Challenges is the centerpiece in an alliance on sustainability between ACS and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
The ACS release notes that during the 2011 global celebration of the International Year of Chemistry (IYC), Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions also is focusing on the main themes of IYC — health, environment, energy, and materials.
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. It has more than 163,000 members, making it the world’s largest scientific society.
