Combined, solid-state molecular property and gamma spectrometers for CBRN&E detection

Nevada Nanotech Systems, Inc. (NevadaNano) has developed an automated, multi-sensor Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRN&E) detection system to perform a multiple-measurement, orthogonal analysis of trace chemical samples and identify radioactive isotopes. One application is threat detection in shipping containers, where samples can be collected over long periods of time (hours to days) in order to detect low levels of threat molecules and radiation. This system, called the C-Scout™, uses a Molecular Property Spectrometer™ (MPS™) - a low-cost, low-power, micro-electromechanical-systems (MEMS) chip capable of measuring numerous thermodynamic and electrostatic molecular properties of sampled vapors and particles - coupled with a compact, highresolution, solid-state gamma spectrometer for identifying radioactive materials, including isotopes used in dirty bombs and nuclear weapons. C-Scout™ transmits results using a radio frequency communication system. Here we provide an overview of the system design and operation and present threat detection results from laboratory and field tests.