By Dr. Norbert Klöpper, Product Manager, Bruker Daltonics, Bruker Daltonics Inc.
SubscribeThe end of the bipolar confrontation in the early 90's lead to a decrease in the interest for NBC-detection equipment. This has rapidly changed after the terroristic attacks of 2001, but the requirements on detection equipment have changed as well.
As an example: Lessons learnt in peacekeeping missions and the demands of first responders brought Toxic Industrial Compounds (TIC’s) into the focus of interest for chemical detection. As a result of Bruker Daltonics R&D efforts in the last years to adopt these new requirements, we are proud to present a couple of new products to the public this year.
SVG2 the new generation of semiconductor Radiation meters
FACING THE DIRTY BOMB
In the field of radiation the threat by low energy and low activity sources gained special interest.
In the field of nuclear detection Bruker has gained experience over several years. The SVG2, which is used for mobile alpha-betagamma detection, has references worldwide. In future new handheld Radiation Detection Probes, especially targeting low energy radiation, will enhance the performance of the radiation meter SVG2. The ergonomically designed surface contamination monitor significantly expands the possibilities for radiation detection. It enables measurement of very low activities on surfaces. The detector is based on a high level of detector technology. Alpha, beta and gamma contamination can be measured with a detection area of 170 cm2. Calibration factors for 20 nuclides allow accurate measurements of surface contamination in Bq/cm2.
The highly sensitive scintillation detector is specially designed for measurements of low level gamma dose rates and the search of low activity radiation sources. It enables the detection of gamma contamination with a high degree of sensitivity.
The increasing danger of the use of a dirty bomb, the combination of explosives with radioactive nuclides and harmful toxic chemicals requires a combined nuclear and chemical detector.
Bruker is a highly regarded specialist in Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) and radiation detection. Handheld and stationary IMS instruments (RAID) and the radiation meter SVG2 have proved to be much in demand on the NBC market worldwide.
Bruker has developed a combined NC Detection System, which is based on the Chemical Agent Detector RAID-M and the Gamma Radiation Meter SVG2. The RAIDXP is able to detect, classify, quantify, and continuously monitor concentration levels of CWA’s specified. The identity of substances detected is either indicated by class “G” or “H”, or the specific agent or simulant identity is displayed.
The RAID-XP is able to detect, and quantify gamma radiation. The actual gamma dose rate and the accumulated gamma dose are displayed. Warning thresholds can be set by the user for the gamma dose rate and the accumulated gamma dose. The accumulated gamma dose can be set to zero by the user (Dosimeter).
As all of our NBC products, the RAID-XP is military hardened. Applications are facility monitoring, point detection and GPS enabled mobile use in vehicles especially in the field of counterterrorism and civil defence.
IS THERE A LIGHT, FLEXIBLE BUT HIGH PERFORMANCE MOBILE MASS SPECTROMETER?
The identification of toxic industrial compounds (TIC’s) in the case of terroristic attacks or during peace keeping missions clearly showed the need for a lightweight, mobile mass spectrometer.
New perspectives on C-Detection are opened with improved mobile Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry systems. Sophisticated GC/MS technology allows the identification of any volatile and semi volatile organic compound in the field. The successful application is mainly based on different sampling techniques which have been developed during the last two decades. Most of the systems available allow identification but also at least a rough quantification of the chemicals.
RAID-XP, combining N and C detection
The most successful system in this area, the Mobile Mass Spectrometer MM1, is celebrating its 20th anniversary during the CBW Symposium. The “grandfather” between newly developed complimentary systems is still being used in many reconnaissance vehicles worldwide. The MM1 has been upgraded during the last 10 years and new sampling methods have been integrated into the system.
Terrorism and other sudden threats (ROTA) against the civil population have proven that easily transportable detection and identification systems for CWA and chemical hazards are required on-site. But none of other technologies like IMS (Ion Mobility Spectrometry), FTIR (Infrared Spectroscopy), SAW (Sonic Acoustic Wave) and many others are able to cover a wide range of detection capabilities compared to the mobile GC/MS. Therefore this technology is still the leader in detection and identification of chemicals, but none of the existing systems fulfill the necessary requirements completely.
The newly developed instrument MM2 is small, portable and able to identify any organic chemical from any medium (soil, water, air) within 15 minutes via complimentary sampling techniques. Specifications and performance re not limited to a selected portion of chemicals. The system can be integrated into vehicles or networks of chemical and biological detectors. Training and operation is reduced to the lowest possible level whilst the 1reliability is increased.
MM2, the new GC/MS system
CHEMICAL CLOUD TOMOGRAPHY – A STEP AHEAD IN STAND OFF DETECTION
The newly developed triangulation setup of Infrared technology allows tomographic reconstruction of CWA clouds.
Passive infrared remote sensing with FTIR provides reliable stand-off detection of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) and Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs) in the atmosphere up to a distance of several kilometers. This method provides early warning of volatile contamination in time without exposure to emitted hazards.
Various passive infrared remote sensors have been developed during the last years. One of them, the RAPID (Remote Air Pollution Infrared Detector) integrates a scanner unit (infrared optics and video camera), the infrared radiation analyzer (interferometer, detector), the electronics (DSP, embedded PC), and a display and operating unit. This allows the system to be used as an unattended stand-alone detector in the field or being mounted on a vehicle. Depending on the downloaded spectra library, the detection unit is able to monitor in the order of 40 volatile compounds simultaneously and will give alarm within a second after a substance has been identified in the FOR with very high reliability.
The remote sensors were tested successfully with simulants (ammonia, sulfur hexafluoride) in the field, where the size and quantity of the CWA cloud was visualized over a distance of several kilometers. Furthermore CWA’s have been measured in a laboratory environment.
APSIS, the bio identification solution
WHAT ABOUT BIO?
In the view of increased terrorist threats Bruker has developed the bio identification solution APSIS. By combining the well established PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) with the latest micro-array technology in a cartridge a unique system for the identification of Biological Warfare Agents (BWA’s) was developed. The APSIS detection cartridges are available for parallel detection of up to eight species.
Currently Bruker presents an combined detection cartridge for the detection of Anthrax and Smallpox as the most prominent bio weapon threats.
The proof of the bio identification in the field is carried out nowadays in biological labs and is extremely time consuming. Bruker introduces here a new approach by using methods based on MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation-Time Of Flight mass spectrometry) utilizing the knowledge of our Life Science Branch. This technology gives a common approach on the detection of harmful pathogens and toxins. All this new products are a further step to strengthen Bruker Daltonics position as the leading supplier of NBC-Detection solutions.
