Applications: Photoluminescent inks for explosives detection

Doctor William C Trogler, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego, in LaJolla, has successfully developed a photoluminescent polymer that can be sprayed in a thin film over a suspect to check any traces of explosives present or not. Trace explosive particles left on a surface after contact from a hand contaminated with TNT are visualized under a UV lamp with a thin sprayed-on film of silafluorenespirofluorenyl blue-emitting polymer. The technique has been licensed by RedXDefense LLC of Rockville, for its XPAK device. Traditional methods use complex and sensitive electronic instruments. The advantage of the fluorescent ink approach is it is intuitive and requires little training to use. It is also robust and portable.