A multilayer fluorogenic material for the ultrasensitive detection of TATP in air, suitable for implementation on a mechanized semi-autonomous robotic platform

Abstract

We describe a multilayer fluorogenic material, composed of a fluorescent probe supported on silica, polydimethylsiloxane and glass slides, that is implemented on a mechanized device for semi-autonomous measurements of airborne triacetone triperoxide (TATP) in operational spaces. By using a UV LED and a commercial micro-fluorometer as the measuring block, a mini-PC and a Wi-Fi card as the control block, all integrated in a mobile robotic platform, and a mobile phone as the receiver, we have constructed the first semiautonomous airborne TATP detection system useful for scanning the presence of IEDs in routine environments. It worked by exposing a sensing stick to the air flow in a room and sending the remote measurements to a mobile phone app. The presence of TATP is subsequently detected by the difference in the fluorescence signal from the initial and final measurements. The system can help combat the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) composed of TATP.