STONewsArchive: NATO researchers trial enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect hazardous materials
Title:
NATO researchers trial enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect hazardous materials
Start_Publishing:
30/04/2024
Panel_Page:
SET
Page_ID:
3936
Main_Body_Multi:
A team of NATO STO researchers carried out a Cooperative Demonstration of Technology (CDT) last month on enhanced Raman spectroscopy protocols for military applications, as part of ongoing work to improve the detection of hazardous threats. The technological demonstration was held from 5-8 March at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. It was organised by a Research Task Group (RTG) formed under the STO Sensors and Electronics Technology (SET) Panel.
Trace-level threats such as chemical warfare agents, explosives, and narcotics pose complex challenges. Dried material on surfaces can be difficult to observe and target, while low levels of other hazardous material may present threats when mixed in unknown liquids. Military operators typically use specialized equipment to detect both large and small amounts of hazardous material, carrying different kits for each, but there are few options for detecting both large and trace-level amounts with the same equipment. The NATO STO RTG seeks to bridge this gap by using enhanced Raman spectroscopy techniques to enable trace-level detection.
The demonstration brought together 18 experts from six countries to test the use of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect trace-level hazardous materials. The blind laboratory trial was designed to mimic real-world field applications and covered various threat scenarios, including the detection of illicit fentanyl-related materials at extremely low levels, and trace chemicals that mimic chemical warfare agents and decontamination products.
Over the course of four days, the team (SET-RTG-292) collected more than 1,200 individual data points across four types of common handheld Raman systems, successfully detecting target analytes in dilute liquids and from visible and non-visible trace contamination on surfaces. They achieved this through using both commercially available and experimental SERS substrates in combination with the Raman systems. The team also hosted a VIP session at the conclusion of the event, allowing national and international visitors to observe the trial operations and discuss the challenges of trace-level chemical detection with the RTG members.
In the coming months, the team will analyse and review the results, before writing a final technical report. They will also develop plans for a potential follow-on NATO activity to continue exploring the augmentation of fielded Raman systems for the trace-level detection of hazardous threats.
Page_Intro:
A team of NATO STO researchers carried out a Cooperative Demonstration of Technology (CDT) last month on enhanced Raman spectroscopy protocols for military applications, as part of ongoing work to improve the detection of hazardous threats. The technological demonstration was held from 5-8 March at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. It was organised by a Research Task Group (RTG) formed under the STO Sensors and Electronics Technology (SET) Panel.
HomePageImage:
20240430_UC_IKM_SET-292-Home.png
HomePageBodyText:
A team of NATO STO researchers carried out a Cooperative Demonstration of Technology (CDT) last month on enhanced Raman spectroscopy protocols for military applications, as part of ongoing work to improve the detection of hazardous threats. The technological demonstration was held from 5-8 March at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. It was organised by a Research Task Group (RTG) formed under the STO Sensors and Electronics Technology (SET) Panel.
Trace-level threats such as chemical warfare agents, explosives, and narcotics pose complex challenges. Dried material on surfaces can be difficult to observe and target, while low levels of other hazardous material may present threats when mixed in unknown liquids. Military operators typically use specialized equipment to detect both large and small amounts of hazardous material, carrying different kits for each, but there are few options for detecting both large and trace-level amounts with the same equipment. The NATO STO RTG seeks to bridge this gap by using enhanced Raman spectroscopy techniques to enable trace-level detection.
The demonstration brought together 18 experts from six countries to test the use of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect trace-level hazardous materials. The blind laboratory trial was designed to mimic real-world field applications and covered various threat scenarios, including the detection of illicit fentanyl-related materials at extremely low levels, and trace chemicals that mimic chemical warfare agents and decontamination products.
Over the course of four days, the team (SET-RTG-292) collected more than 1,200 individual data points across four types of common handheld Raman systems, successfully detecting target analytes in dilute liquids and from visible and non-visible trace contamination on surfaces. They achieved this through using both commercially available and experimental SERS substrates in combination with the Raman systems. The team also hosted a VIP session at the conclusion of the event, allowing national and international visitors to observe the trial operations and discuss the challenges of trace-level chemical detection with the RTG members.
In the coming months, the team will analyse and review the results, before writing a final technical report. They will also develop plans for a potential follow-on NATO activity to continue exploring the augmentation of fielded Raman systems for the trace-level detection of hazardous threats.
Created at 30/04/2024 15:23 by ad.rodes
Last modified at 30/04/2024 15:25 by ad.rodes
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