Numerous efforts to substitute TNT as the melt-cast matrix in explosive charges are ongoing due to its low performance and security issues. In this study the syntheses and full structural as well as spectroscopic characterizations of 2-nitrazapropyl substituted polynitroazoles, as potential melt-cast explosives, are presented. This straightforward method of derivatizing the heterocyclic N–H fun...

Simulation of Dynamic Response in Materials is to construct a virtual test facility (VTF) for computing the 3D response of various target materials under compressive, tensional, and shear loadings, including loadings generated by high explosives. (For information on shock-compression experiments, see the “Shock-compression science” sidebar.) Our objective is to design a software environment tha...

We report on the application of sweeping-MEKC, for the first time, using the Environmental Protection Agency Method 8330 stock standard (a mixture of 14 explosives). The use of a traditional MEKC mode provided the LODs (at S/N=3) ranging from 1.5 to 2.9 microg/mL for the 14 explosives standards, which were improved by as low as 3.1-6.5 ng/mL when a sweeping-MEKC technique was used. A set of 21 ...

We report the development of a non-contact no-reagents system operating in the eye-safe 1560-1800 nm wavelength range for standoff trace detection of explosives and high-speed imaging. Experimental results are provided for a number of chemicals including explosives on a variety of surfaces at sub-microgram per cm2 concentration. Chemically specific images were collected at 0.06 ms pe...

In recent times, the security focus for civil aviation has shifted from hijacking in the 1980s, towards deliberate sabotage. X-ray imaging provides a major tool in checked baggage inspection, with various sensitive techniques being brought to bear in determining the form, and density of items within luggage as well as other material dependent parameters. This review first examines the various c...

We present a method for restoration of noisy tomographic images for detecting thin objects, such as explosives. Use of a weighted mean-square estimate optimizes the solution to place emphasis on the infrequent, but signiicant local structure associated with thin objects. Experimental results show successful restoration at very high noise levels.

The effects of hydraulic resistance on the burning of confined/obstacle-laden gaseous and gas-permeable solid explosives are discussed on the basis of recent research. Hydraulic resistance is found to induce a new powerful mechanism for the reaction spread (diffusion of pressure) allowing for both fast subsonic as well as supersonic propagation. Hydraulic resistance appears to be of relevance a...

A large amount of energetic materials including propellants, high explosives, pyrotechnics are subjected to disposal either due to expiry of their useful life or rejection in the manufacturing process. The environmental regulations do not allow the hazardous materials for open burning / detonation in view of the health hazard involved in these operations. The present paper describes the hazard ...

The paper defines and describes blast waves, their interaction with a structure and its subsequent response. Explosions generate blast waves, which need not be due to explosives. A blast wave consists of two parts: a shock wave and a blast wind. The paper explains how shock waves are formed and their basic properties. The physics of blast waves is non-linear and therefore non-intuitive. To unde...

Practical considerations for the injection and separation of nitroaromatic explosives in seawater sample matrices are discussed. The use of high surfactant concentrations and long electrokinetic injections allows for improved detection limits. Sensitivity was enhanced by two mechanisms, improved stacking at the detector-side of the sample plug and desorption of analyte from the capillary wall b...