title: Trace explosives sensor testbed (TESTbed).
abstract: A novel vapor delivery testbed, referred to as the Trace Explosives Sensor Testbed, or TESTbed, is demonstrated that is amenable to both high- and low-volatility explosives vapors including nitromethane, nitroglycerine, ethylene glycol dinitrate, triacetone triperoxide, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine. The TESTbed incorporates a six-port dual-line manifold system allowing for rapid actuation between a dedicated clean air source and a trace explosives vapor source. Explosives and explosives-related vapors can be sourced through a number of means including gas cylinders, permeation tube ovens, dynamic headspace chambers, and a Pneumatically Modulated Liquid Delivery System coupled to a perfluoroalkoxy total-consumption microflow nebulizer. Key features of the TESTbed include continuous and pulseless control of trace vapor concentrations with wide dynamic range of concentration generation, six sampling ports with reproducible vapor profile outputs, limited low-volatility explosives adsorption to the manifold surface, temperature and humidity control of the vapor stream, and a graphical user interface for system operation and testing protocol implementation.
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Greg E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Nova Research, Inc., 1900 Elkin St., Suite 230, Alexandria, Virginia 22308, USA.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Malito
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Cy R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Tamanaha
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Braden C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.affiliation: Nova Research, Inc., 1900 Elkin St., Suite 230, Alexandria, Virginia 22308, USA.
authors.forename: Adam L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lubrano
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Field
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Duane A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: Nova Research, Inc., 1900 Elkin St., Suite 230, Alexandria, Virginia 22308, USA.
authors.forename: Russell A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Jeffries
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Colton
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rose-Pehrsson