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Science and Technology Directorate Office of Research Explosives Division Focus Areas
- Advanced Imaging Algorithm Development Focus Area
- Fundamental Particle Physics Focus Area
- Homemade Explosives Characterization Focus Area
- Materials Science Research Focus Area
- C-IED Detection and Response Focus Area
- Basic Research in Support of Improved Explosives Detection Focus Area
- Explosives Center of Excellence (COE) Core Program Focus Area
Advanced Imaging Algorithm Development Focus Area
Focus Area Overview: Multi-year research and analysis of raw images (e.g., x-ray, terahertz, millimeter wave, whole body imaging). Research is directed to development of advanced algorithms which can extract discriminating details from raw data to improve detection, reduce nuisance alarms, increase throughput and enhance screener effectiveness. Reconstruction algorithms, automated detection algorithms and features to assist operators, e.g., common image formats, are included within the research focus. Outputs of the research will be combined with advanced hardware designs through an interface standard which permits the “best” hardware and “best software,” quite probably from different vendor sources to be combined.
Fundamental Particle Physics Focus Area
Focus Area Overview: Physics research directed to improving sampling, detection and characterization of explosives threats. Topics include measurement of work functions to remove particles of different characteristics from different surfaces and the determination of best methods to improve trace collection. Measurement of physical properties of energetic materials of interest will assist in the design of improved detection equipment.
Homemade Explosives Characterization Focus Area
Focus Area Overview: Multi-phase homemade explosives chemical characterization to determine the detonability and performance of a large class of non-ideal energetic materials. The research supports how safely to deal with such materials and predict their performance and damage potential to support threat and detection system requirements.
Materials Science Research Focus Area
Focus Area Overview: Fundamental materials science research directed toward improved understanding of the relative importance and cumulative effect of aging, stress history, corrosion cracking, materials manufacturing variability and threats on critical infrastructure materials. Program includes development of a materials test bed to examine materials with electron microscopy at the grain boundary level of detail. It also will support development of new materials to improve the resilience of the built environment and for improved explosives detection at nanoscale levels of detection
C-IED Detection and Response Focus Area
Focus Area Overview: Focus area includes research directed toward improved detection capability at standoff ranges for explosives threats of particular interest in C-IED, namely the Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device. It also includes policy research at the Mineta Transportation Institute, part of the Transportation Security COE, in support of improved prevention and response measures for application in surface transportation. Parallel work at the national laboratories and the Explosives COE is directed toward the definition and road mapping of a multi-year, comprehensive basic science research agenda to counter the domestic IED threat.
Basic Research in Support of Improved Explosives Detection Focus Area
Focus Area Overview: Research directed to the development of ambitious requirements standards for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in support of obtaining the best capabilities from x-ray and other detection systems. Parallel research is being directed to improved, next generation sensors, e.g. carbon nanotube x-ray sources, advanced associated particle imaging (API) concepts for cargo application, spectroscopic cascade laser systems for standoff detection, and plant sentinels which exploit highly sensitive biological species discriminatory characteristics at the gene level.
Explosives Center of Excellence (COE) Core Program Focus Area
Focus Area Overview: Fundamental research in energetic materials characterization, detection, sensor fusion and mitigation in partnership directed by Northeastern University and the University of Rhode Island. Educational programs to support graduate student research and secondary school teacher preparation in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines is included within this focus area.
This page was last reviewed / modified on May 19, 2009.