OptEX™ is a revolutionary explosive trace detection (ETD) system designed to detect
explosive residue on objects and personnel at checkpoint
locations. The system employs a unique approche to explosives detection by screening for features universal to all explosives. Simply put, if it explodes, OptEX™ will detect it. This paradigm shift in trace explosives detection facilitates the detection of all explosives including newly formulated, undocumented explosives and presents a formidable
tool for defeating modern terrorists.
Detects any explosive in less than four seconds
without a reference library
Reduced
Operating Cost: no explosive libraries to update;
reusable wipes
Integrated touch screen
Built-in
printer
Internal
data storage; USB & FireWire connections for
exporting data
Lightweight,
easy to carry design facilitates portability
No
carrier gases required
or radioactive sources present
OPERATION OptEX™ has been designed to facilitate use by operators of
any skill level. The system features a rapid, automatic
start-up and is ready for operation within minutes. Nearly
any object that can be physically contacted can be analyzed
for trace amounts of explosives. OptEX™ employs a wipe-based
approach to collect residue from suspect surfaces onto a specialized wipe. The wipe is then inserted into OptEX™ to commence analysis by proprietary
algorithms. Within seconds OptEX™ provides the operator with a "PASS" or "ALARM"
indication. The wipe is then be removed from the system and can continue to be re-used numerous
times.
DETECTION
ENGINE The key feature of OptEX™ is that it detects an explosive without requiring any previous knowledge of the explosive (i.e. drift time). This is possible because OptEX exploits the fundamental property of all explosives, in that they undergo a rapid exothermic reaction when supplied with sufficient energy. By heating an unknown sample and measuring the transient thermal profile, energetic materials are discriminated from non-energetic materials using advanced detection algorithms that analyze thermodynamic and kinetic features of the reaction. This breakthrough approach enables the detection of all explosives, including homemade explosives of unknown composition, with a high probability and low false alarm rate.
APPLICATIONS OptEX™ is ideally designed to act as an initial screening
tool for locating trace amounts of explosives or as a confirmation
tool for verifying the presence of bulk explosives. Such
screening is commonly employed at airports, seaports, railyards,
border crossings, military facilities, and critical infrastructure
facilities.
