@CONFERENCE\{IMM2011-06021,
    author       = "N. V. Kosthesha and T. S. Alstr{\o}m and C. Johnsen and K. A. Nielsen and J. O. Jeppesen and J. Larsen",
    title        = "Multi-colorimetric sensor array for detection of explosives in gas and liquid phase",
    year         = "2011",
    month        = "apr",
    keywords     = "Colorimetric sensor array, {DNT,} {RDX,} {HMX,} {TATP,} chemo-selective compounds, principal component analysis (PCA)",
    booktitle    = "Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing {XII}",
    volume       = "8018",
    series       = "",
    editor       = "",
    publisher    = "Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers",
    organization = "",
    address      = "",
    note         = "Copyright 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited",
    url          = "http://www2.compute.dtu.dk/pubdb/pubs/6021-full.html",
    abstract     = "In the framework of the research project “Xsense” at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) we are developing a simple colorimetric sensor array which can be useful in detection of explosives like {DNT,} {TATP,} {HMX,} {RDX} and identification of reagents needed for making homemade explosives. The technology is based on an array of chemo-selective compounds immobilized on a solid support. Upon exposure to the analyte in suspicion the colorimetric array changes color. Each chosen compound reacts chemo-selectively with analytes of interest. A change in a color signature indicates the presence of unknown explosives and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

We are working towards the selection of compounds that undergo color changes in the presence of explosives and VOCs, as well as the development of an immobilization method for the molecules. Digital imaging of the colorimetric array before and after exposure to the analytes creates a color difference map which gives a unique fingerprint for each explosive and VOCs. Such sensing technology can be used for screening relevant explosives in a complex background as well as to distinguish mixtures of volatile organic compounds distributed in gas and liquid phases. This sensor array is inexpensive, and can potentially be produced as single use disposable."
}