Detection of chemical threats on surfaces using a human color vision inspired sensing method

Kevin J. Major; Jasbinder S. Sanghera; L. B. Shaw; Chris R. Howle; Ken McEwan; Kenneth J. Ewing

doi:10.1117/12.2589553

15 April 2021 Detection of chemical threats on surfaces using a human color vision inspired sensing method

Kevin J. Major, Jasbinder S. Sanghera, L. B. Shaw, Chris R. Howle, Ken McEwan, Kenneth J. Ewing

Proceedings Volume 11749, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXII; 117490L (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2589553
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2021, Online Only

Abstract

A key driver for the development of next-generation chemical sensors is the need to detect chemical hazards on various surfaces at a distance. By removing the operator from the immediate vicinity of the hazard, personnel safety is substantially improved. Such sensors need to correctly detect the presence of a hazardous target chemical, with minimal false alarms from common environmental interferents. These sensors ideally will be low cost, and able to provide rapid and reliable results with minimal processing. Here we describe recent advances in development of an infrared-based chemical sensor capable of detecting liquid chemical hazards on surfaces at proximal stand-off distances. This sensor, inspired by human color vision, uses only the response through three broadband infrared optical filters to discriminate between target chemicals and background interferents. We show computationally that a single set of three optical filters enable discrimination between several potential chemical nerve agent targets, simulants for these hazards, and common interferents. Finally, we demonstrate the capability of a bioinspired infrared optical sensor, incorporating a series of three infrared optical filters, to discriminate between chemicals for which the system was trained and those for which it was not. This bioinspired laboratory sensor utilizes only low-cost commercially available components, and can rapidly provide actionable detection results.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Kevin J. Major, Jasbinder S. Sanghera, L. B. Shaw, Chris R. Howle, Ken McEwan, and Kenneth J. Ewing "Detection of chemical threats on surfaces using a human color vision inspired sensing method", Proc. SPIE 11749, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXII, 117490L (15 April 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2589553

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