Technology Statement
TS100 is an electro-chemical explosive vapor detector (EVD) designed and manufactured by Tracense Systems. The product is based on an innovative electro-chemical sensing technology that enables the detection of explosives by collecting and analyzing the explosive material vapors. Proprietary algorithms detect, identify and classify the examined explosive vapor sample.
Why Vapor Detection?
In the 1990’s, vapor detection was theway for trace sensing. However, it was discovered that only trace particles were available for detection of the main threat, stolen military explosives.
From the late 1990’s till early 2010, it was all about collection and detection of trace particles from surfaces, followed by thermal desorption and detection.
In the early 2010 or so, the use of improvised or homemade explosives presented cases of threats with little to no particle generation, but vaporous molecules (e.g., TATP, EGDN, NG, etc.).
Thus the necessity of high volume sampling and vapor detection (with or without simultaneous particle detection) became increasingly important.
Vapor Detection Today
Present History:
It is understood that in cases, like air cargo, where the item(s) have time to build up vapor inside, that vapor sampling and detection a solution to performing trace detection.
The key is a combination of high volume sampling, with attention to retention of the vaporous molecules (and/or particles) onto a surface or detector, and ultra-sensitive detection.
Ultra-sensitive detection is key to achieve the detection levels necessary for all threats; HME, military, commercial type explosive devices/threats.
Product Description
At the heart of TS100 system lays the sensing element which is comprised of 3 detection channels.
Two of them are populated with explosive detection sensors and the 3rd is awaiting future integration and addition of new detection capabilities.
The 3 detection channels are comprised of an electrochemical lab within a cartridge. The cartridges are placed within a cradel that enables the main system states of vapor collection and trace analysis. Each channel has incoming and outcoming air tubes which are connected to the collection wand at one side and to the vacuum pump on the other.
Theory of Operation
Theory of Operation Continued
TS100 is an innovative vapor based electro-chemical detection system.
At the heart of the technology is an advanced, patented state of the art, nano-technology sensor, that was specifically designed for vapor trace collecting and analysis. The detector was designed to capture the compound molecules in vapor phase from the volume of interest, and then conduct electrochemical analysis to detect the compound.
The system operation is done in three phases:
- Capturing the desired air sample using a collecting wand utilizing vacuum pressure on the volume of interest. The air is directed internally into the detector which serves as a concentrator for the desired compound molecules.
- The detector performs electrochemical scan which is aimed at generating a specific electro-chemical reaction by the captured compound which exhibits a unique change to the output signal.
- The resulting signal is then analyzed using advanced algorithms which perform detection that enhance the overall sensor sensitivity, and classification by extraction of the special features that the compound exhibits – the compound unique “signature”.
The system alerts the user via user interface (visual and audio) about the result of the scan and prepares the system for next measurement.