A new smartphone-based chemiluminescence method has been introduced for the quantitative analysis of CL-20 (Hexanitroazaisowuertzitan) explosive. The solvent mixture, oxidizer agent, and concentration of the reactants were optimized using statistical procedures. CL-20 explosive showed a quenching effect on the chemiluminescence intensity of the luminol-NaClO reaction in the solvent mixture of DMSO/H2O. A smartphone was used as a detector to record the light intensity of chemiluminescence reaction as a video file. The recorded video file was converted to an analytical signal as intensity luminescence-time curve by a written code in MATLAB software. Dynamic range and limit of detection of the proposed method were obtained 2.0-240.0 and 1.1 mg⋅L-1, respectively, in optimized concentrations 1.5 × 10-3 mol⋅L-1 luminol and 1.0 × 10-2 mol⋅L-1 NaClO. Precursors TADB, HBIW, and TADNIW in CL-20 explosive synthesis did not show interference in measurement the CL-20 purity. The analysis of CL-20 spiked samples of soil and water indicated the satisfactory ability of the method in the analysis of real samples. The interaction of CL-20 molecules and OCl- ions is due to quench of chemiluminescence reaction of the luminol-NaClO.

This report aims to examine the effects of impact velocity, impact depth, and impact orientation on the Cu-Ta weld joint of the explosive welding process via MD simulation. The findings indicate that the residual shear stress in the welded block mostly increases as the impact velocity rises. The bottom Ta block is more severely distorted than the higher Cu block due to the impact direction. During the tensile test, three stress zones can be identified including the low-stress Cu block, the high-stress Ta block, and the medium-stress weld joint in the middle of the samples. The weld joint position is lower than the median line of the welded block. The Cu-Ta welded block with 500 m/s impact velocities had the highest ultimate tensile strength (UTS) value of 6.49 GPa. With increasing impact depth, the atomic strain level, residual shear stress, and weld joint dimensions all noticeably increase. The Cu-Ta welded block with an impact depth of 7.5 Å has the greatest UTS values, measuring 11.65 GPa, because of its well-crystal structure. Changing the impact orientation does not result in a dramatic change in atomic strain. Orientation (001) vs (001) has the highest strain and stress rates. With an impact orientation of (110) vs. (111), the Cu-Ta welded block gets the highest UTS value of 8.03 GPa compared to other orientations.

There are many factors that may affect the longevity of or guide the use of canine training aids. Literature to date has mainly focused on identifying the headspace volatiles associated with training aids or odors and only minimal research exists into how different variables may alter those volatiles. The current study examines several factors affecting canine training aids: humidity, air flow, transportation, and operational deployment, using the triacetone triperoxide polymer odor capture-and-release canine training aid (TATP POCR) as the target. The TATP POCR is an absorption-based canine training aid developed to be used to safely train canines to detect the odor of the explosive TATP in operational settings. Comparisons of the TATP POCR to neat TATP are made throughout the manuscript. First, humidity increased the background components of the POCR matrix, as well as the amount of TATP recovered was above the POCR. Humidity thus affected the amount of TATP detected but did not prevent detection. Second, air flow lessened the lifetime of the TATP POCR. Third, the practice of using primary and secondary containment successfully prevented contamination, cross-contamination, and significant target loss, thereby maintaining kit integrity. Finally, the absorption of background odors from training environments was not observed. TATP headspace concentrations between a Deployed and Control POCR kit were not significantly different at time 0 (i.e., upon opening), which suggests that the operational use does not affect the function of the TATP POCR system. This information provides pivotal evidence for explosives detection canine handlers or trainers who utilize the TATP POCR.

The explosive compound 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is well known as a major component of munitions. In addition to its potential carcinogenicity and mutagenicity in humans, recent reports have highlighted TNT toxicities in diverse organisms due to its occurrence in the environment. These toxic effects have been linked to the intracellular metabolism of TNT, which is generally characterised by redox cycling and the generation of noxious reactive molecules. The reactive intermediates formed, such as nitroso and hydroxylamine compounds, also interact with oxygen molecules and cellular components to cause macromolecular damage and oxidative stress. The current review aims to highlight the crucial role of TNT metabolism in mediating TNT toxicity, via increased generation of reactive oxygen species. Cellular proliferation of reactive species results in depletion of cellular antioxidant enzymes, DNA and protein adduct formation, and oxidative stress. While TNT toxicity is well known, its ability to induce oxidative stress, resulting from its reductive activation, suggests that some of its toxic effects may be caused by its reactive metabolites. Hence, further research on TNT metabolism is imperative to elucidate TNT-induced toxicities.

The effects of long-term ammunition pollution on microecological characteristics were analyzed to formulate microbial remediation strategies. Specifically, the response of enzyme systems, N/O stable isotopes, ion networks, and microbial community structure/function levels were analyzed in long-term (50 years) ammunition-contaminated water/sediments from a contamination site, and a compound bacterial agent capable of efficiently degrading trinitrotoluene (TNT) while tolerating many heavy metals was selected to remediate the ammunition-contaminated soil. The basic physical and chemical properties of the water/sediment (pH (up: 0.57-0.64), nitrate (up: 1.31-4.28 times), nitrite (up: 1.51-5.03 times), and ammonium (up: 7.06-70.93 times)) were changed significantly, and the significant differences in stable isotope ratios of N and O (nitrate nitrogen) confirmed the degradability of TNT by indigenous microorganisms exposed to long-term pollution. Heavy metals, such as Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cs, and Sb, have synergistic toxic effects in ammunition-contaminated sites, and significantly decreased the microbial diversity and richness in the core pollution area. However, long-term exposure in the edge pollution area induced microorganisms to use TNT as a carbon and nitrogen sources for life activities and growth and development. The Bacteroidales microbial group was significantly inhibited by ammunition contamination, whereas microorganisms such as Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Comamonadaceae gradually adapted to this environmental stress by regulating their development and stress responses. Ammunition pollution significantly affected DNA replication and gene regulation in the microecological genetic networks and increased the risk to human health. Mg and K were significantly involved in the internal mechanism of microbial transport, enrichment, and metabolism of TNT. Nine strains of TNT-utilizing microbes were screened for efficient TNT degradation and tolerance to typical heavy metals (copper, zinc and lead) found in contaminated sites, and a compound bacterial agent prepared for effective repair of ammunition-contaminated soil significantly improved the soil ecological environment.

In this work, the characteristics of the exothermic reaction between ammonium nitrate and sulfide ores were explored using COMSOL Multiphysics. This reaction can cause an increase in temperature within the blast holes of sulfide mines and can potentially induce premature explosions of the explosives. Initially, simulations were conducted to observe temperature variations in blast holes before and after the loading of explosives. Then, the impact of blast hole diameter and initial temperature on the thermal environment was assessed. Subsequent analysis focused on the fluid field\'s dynamics, examining flow rate changes and the concentration of signature gases produced by the reaction. Additionally, the influence of blast hole diameter on these parameters was evaluated. The results show that the blast hole temperature is positively related to its diameter and initial temperature. When the diameter of the blast hole is 120 mm and 165 mm, a significant change in flow rate is observed, with a trend of being rapidly increased and then rapidly decreased. The production of NH3 is always found to be greater than that of the other two gases. As for NO and SO2, their production is characterized by an approximate ratio of 1:2. The numerical simulation results can provide important theoretical guidance for the spontaneous detonation of blast hole in sulfide mines.

In our modern times, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have become more sophisticated than ever, capable of causing destruction and loss of life. The creative use of homemade substances for IEDs manufactures has led to efforts in developing sensitive detection methods that can anticipate, identify and protect against improvised attacks. Laser-based spectroscopic techniques provide rapid and accurate detection of chemicals in improvised explosives, but no single method can detect all components of all explosives. In this study, two spectroscopic methods are used for the sensitive identification of 8 explosive chemical substances in the form of powders and vapors. Absorption spectra of benzene, toluene, acetone and ethylene glycol were examined with CO2 laser photoacoustic spectroscopy. The photoacoustic signals of the samples were recorded in the CO2 laser emission range from 9.2 to 10.8 µm and a different spectral behavior was observed for each analyzed substance. Time-domain spectroscopy with THz radiation was used to analyze ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, dinitrobenzene, hexamethylenetetramine transmission spectra in the 0.1-3 THz range, and it was observed that they have characteristic THz fingerprint spectra. CO2 laser photoacoustic spectroscopy and THz time domain spectroscopy have met the criterion of proven effectiveness in identifying explosive components. The combination of these spectroscopic methods is innovative, giving a promising new approach for detection of a large number of IED components.

Trained detection dogs have a unique ability to find the sources of target odors in complex fluid environments. How dogs derive information about the source of an odor from an odor plume comprised of odorants with different physical properties, such as diffusivity, is currently unknown. Two volatile chemicals associated with explosive detection, ammonia (NH3, derived from ammonium nitrate-based explosives) and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2E1H, associated with composition C4 plastic explosives) were used to ascertain the effects of the physical properties of odorants on the search behavior and motion of trained dogs. NH3 has a diffusivity 3.6 times that of 2E1H. Fourteen civilian detection dogs were recruited to train on each target odorant using controlled odor mimic permeation systems as training aids over 6 weeks and then tested in a controlled-environment search trial where behavior, motion, and search success were analyzed. Our results indicate the target-odorant influences search motion and time spent in the stages of searching, with dogs spending more time in larger areas while localizing NH3. This aligns with the greater diffusivity of NH3 driving diffusion-dominated odor transport when dogs are close to the odor source in contrast to the advection-driven transport of 2E1H at the same distances.

Chemical sensing of harmful species released either from natural or anthropogenic activities is critical to ensuring human safety and health. Over the last decade, conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) have been proven to be potential sensor materials with the possibility of realizing sensing devices for practical applications. CMPs found to be unique among other porous materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) due to their high chemical/thermal stability, high surface area, microporosity, efficient host-guest interactions with the analyte, efficient exciton migration along the π-conjugated chains, and tailorable structure to target specific analytes. Several CMP-based optical, electrochemical, colorimetric, and ratiometric sensors with excellent selectivity and sensing performance were reported. This review comprehensively discusses the advances in CMP chemical sensors (powders and thin films) in the detection of nitroaromatic explosives, chemical warfare agents, anions, metal ions, biomolecules, iodine, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with simultaneous delineation of design strategy principles guiding the selectivity and sensitivity of CMP. Preceding this, various photophysical mechanisms responsible for chemical sensing are discussed in detail for convenience. Finally, future challenges to be addressed in the field of CMP chemical sensors are discussed.

Canines are one of the best biological detectors of energetic materials available; however, canine detection of explosives is impacted by a number of factors, including environmental conditions. The objectives of this study were: 1) determine how canine detection limits vary when both the canine and odorant are tested in varying temperature and humidity conditions (canine and odor interactive effects); and 2) determine if an acclimatization plan can improve detection limits in an adverse environmental condition. Eight working line canines were trained to detect four energetics: prill ammonium nitrate (AN), Composition 4 (C4), trinitrotoluene (TNT) and double base smokeless powder (SP). In Experiment 1, canines completed a 3-alternative forced choice 3-down-1-up staircase threshold assessment in five environmental conditions: 40°C and 70% relative humidity (RH), 40°C and 40% RH, 0°C and 90% RH, 0°C and 50% RH and 21°C and 50% RH. Canines showed a 3.5-fold detection limit increase (poorer detection) for C4 in 40°C and 70% RH compared to their detection limit at 21°C and 50% RH. In Experiment 2, the eight canines were split into two groups (n = 4), control and acclimation groups. The control group completed the threshold assessment for C4 at 21°C and 50% RH each day for 20 days, with 5 minutes of petting prior to testing. The acclimation group completed the same assessment daily starting at 21°C and 50% RH but temperature and RH were incremented daily over the course of 6 days to the 40°C and 70% RH condition. After the initial six days, the acclimation group completed daily assessments at 40°C and 70% RH condition for the remainder of the experiment. All acclimatization group canines started their session with 5 minutes of toy or food retrieves. Detection limits for C4 for all dogs were tested in 40°C and 70% RH on day 11 and day 22. The acclimatization plan improved detection limits in the 40°C and 70% RH condition for C4 compared to the non-acclimated group. In this set of experiments, canine detection limits for four explosive odorants were found to vary based on environmental condition and were mostly driven by impacts on the canine rather than odor availability. The acclimatization plan did result in lower detection limits (i.e., increased performance). Future work should determine what factor (exercise or environmental exposure) is more effective in acclimatization for odor detection work.