Detecting explosives and chemical weapons: a review of recent developments

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide details of recent developments in sensors for detecting explosives and chemical warfare agents. Design/methodology/approach - Following an introduction, this paper first discusses a selection of new sensing techniques aimed at detecting explosives and explosive devices. It then considers new developments in sensors for detecting chemical warfare agents. Brief concluding comments are drawn. Findings - This paper shows that a diversity of sensor technologies is being investigated, including various advanced optical methods, nanomaterials, microelectromechanical system, electronic noses, biosensors and electrochemical techniques, several of which offer levels of sensitivity in the parts-per-trillion region. These not only have the potential to yield improved devices for detecting explosives and chemical weapons but may also play a role in health care, environmental monitoring, drug detection and industrial health and safety. Originality/value - In an era of escalating terrorism and military conflicts, this provides a timely review of new technologies for detecting explosives and chemical warfare agents.