Development of standoff explosive detection technique based on infrared sensitive hydrogel microscale physical sensors

Various hydrogel microstructures will be fabricated with hydrogels exhibiting different molecular weights and structures along with varying concentrations of the photoinitiator and ultraviolet doses. Then, resonance sensitivity of fabricated hydrogel microstructures will be investigated with direct electrical and indirect IR heating. Using the dynamic mask, various hydrogel microstructures with different sizes and shapes will be fabricated and their sensitivities will be investigated. Once an optimum design is found, the design will be efficiently mass-produced by using a silicone elastomeric mold. Periodic patterns will be introduced on top of the chosen optimum design and resonance sensitivities will be investigated to find out the most efficient pattern shape and pitch. Using the hydrogel microscale physical sensor system which is mechanically and optically optimized, standoff photothermal resonance spectroscopy for various explosives will be performed at different distances in a laboratory setting.TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Seonghwan Kim

Student:

Partner:

Sogang University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Globalink Research Award