Abstract: A chemical agent detection system is described. The system comprises a sample introduction module, an agent concentration module and a detection module. The sample introduction module comprises a sample collector that collects particles and aerosols from a sample, and a heater that vaporizes the collected particles and aerosols and produces a sample vapor. The agent concentration module comprises a sorbent tube filled with a sorbent material that preferentially absorbs the vapor of a target chemical agent when the sample vapor passes through the sorbent tube. The detection module interrogates the sorbent material and identifies the target chemical agent absorbed to the sorbent material. Also disclosed are methods for detecting a non-traditional agent (NTA) or a dusty agent (DA), and trace levels of chemical warfare agents (CWA) and toxic industrial chemical (TIC) vapors.

Abstract: A container screening system that uses multiple orthogonal sensors for detecting hazardous materials, such as liquid explosives and precursors of liquid explosives, in sealed containers. The container screening system comprises a first sensor that detects materials inside the container using a first detection technology, a second sensor that detects materials insider the container using a second detection technology, and a data processing unit that processes data from the first and second sensors and generates a screen result. The system reduces false positives and increases probability of detection by matching the relative strengths and weaknesses of each technology.

Abstract: A container screening system that uses multiple orthogonal sensors for detecting hazardous materials, such as liquid explosives and precursors of liquid explosives, in sealed containers. The container screening system comprises a first sensor that detects materials inside the container using a first detection technology, a second sensor that detects materials insider the container using a second detection technology, and a data processing unit that processes data from the first and second sensors and generates a screen result. The system reduces false positives and increases probability of detection by matching the relative strengths and weaknesses of each technology.