Nanotechnology for Homeland Security Applications

Dr. Richard FinkApplied Nanotech, Inc.3006 Longhorn Blvd., Suite 107

Austin, TX 78758Phone 512-339-5020 x130

Fax 512-339-5021Email dfink@appliednanotech.net

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Example applications

SensorsNuclear BiologicalChemical

Bio/chem neutralizationNanocomposites for blast resistanceComputers and IT networks

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Published book “Nanotechnology and Homeland Security”

Daniel Ratner, Mark A. Ratner,

Prentice Hall, 2004

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Presented by Maj Gen Paul Nielsen, Commander, Air Force Research LaboratoryNanomaterials and Nanotechnology:Opportunities and Challeneges for defense applications”, February 24, 2004

What is nanotechnology?

Not just size reduction, but entirely new phenomena accessible at nano scale (e.g. quantum effects, dominance of interfacial phenomena).

New behavior at nano scale is not necessarily predictable from current understanding at macro or even micro scales.

Nanotech in Sensors for Nuclear Materials

• Neutron generators for detection of “Special Nuclear Materials”

• Nanotech for x-ray sources

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Neutron generators for detection of “Special Nuclear Materials” (nuclear weapons)

Special Nuclear Materials:Highly enriched uraniumPlutonium

The problem:Radiation sensors alone (passive detection) are not sufficient, SNM are easily shielded.Need to “activate” SNM in order to detect and identify.Process must be fast, low cost with low false positives – too many shipping containers to inspect.

8 million containers/year to US ports

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Concept for interrogation

Dennis Slaughter, et al., “Detection of Special Nuclear Material in Cargo Containers Using Neutron Interrogation”, Lawrence Livermore Nat. Lab. report UCRL-ID-155315 (2003).

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Method of detecting SNM- Differential Die-Away Analysis

Neutron beam

On OnOff

Neutron detector signal –No SNM in container

Neutron detector signal –Yes, SNM in container

Neutron generator requirements• High yield• Fast pulse cut-off• Variable duty factor

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Nanotech neutron generator approach• Generate D+ ion current at high field created near an array of carbon nanotubes (CNTs).

• Accelerate them to target of D atoms• D + D → n + 3He • En = 2.5 MeV for low energy D+ acceleration of order 100 keV

Advantages:

• No plasma generated: Device can be small but still hold off 100kV.

• Fast response: <1 µsec pulse width.

• High power efficiency: No thermal cathode or RF power for plasma generation required.

• Low fabrication cost and robust design.

H.V.

High voltage feedthrough

Ti target

AluminumCNT layer

Gas in

To pump

D+

D+

D+

n

n n

Funded by DNDO HSHQDC-08-C-00021

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Field Desorption vs. Field Ionization

D+

Field desorptionD2 adsorbs on surface, disassociates, field

desorbed as D+ ion

Gas Phase IonizationD2 ionized by local field, no adsorption

intermediate step

D+

2rh

d

CNT

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Miniature CNT cold cathode tube for small x-ray source

CNT cold cathodes may also be used for distributed x-ray sources – Computer Tomography for baggage scanning.

30mm ← →

Nanotech in Sensors for Bio-agent Detection

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Nanosphere, Inc. sensor for biotoxins

Verigene ID deviceFunctionalized Au particles lead to color change of sensor slide when analyte of interest is present.

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Enzyme-coated CNT for bio/chem array sensor- under development at ANI

Array of sensors for many analytes.

Row DriverColu

mn

drive

r

Enzyme Coated CNTRow-Column Matrix Addressing

Row DriverColu

mn

drive

r

Enzyme Coated CNTRow-Column Matrix Addressing

Nanotech in Sensors for Chemical Detection

• Detecting stowaways in containers and trucks.

• Sensors for air monitoring in public areas (subways, etc.).

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Human Stowaways – Border Security Problem

The Numbers:Every year almost 8 million cargo shipping containers packed with about 1,000 tons of imported products reaches United States' ports.Most of these enter without any verification for content. There is simply not enough man-power to investigate them all.

The Problem:It was disclosed that more than 75 al Qaeda operatives illegally penetrated the United States in shipping containers in just a two month period. (DEBKA-Net Weekly

64, June 14 2002)

In Mexico, stowaways hide in rail cars and tractor-trailer rigs to come into the U.S. In the Caribbean, specifically the Dominican Republic and Haiti, stowaways are gaining unauthorized entry into the shipping containers and in less than a day can gain access into the U.S.

DHS Solution:Greater than 10 funded programs for sensors, tracking and taggingThe problem is still not solved

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The Solution - Human Detection Using Nanotechnology

Detect changes in CO2 and O2 based upon human respiration in an enclosed space

Commercial Sensors:Too much power consumption (zNose is a GC, consumes helium)Too expensive to retrofit all shipping containersNot robust for maritime deployment

Applied Nanotech’s GMOS™ Sensor:Low power (sub µW)InexpensiveSolid-state reliability

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GMOS™ Sensor Design

V

V

Contacts

Sensing layer = inorganic oxide thin-film

Gate insulatorBack gate

A

• Nanometer thin-films give increased sensitivity

• Nanometer material thickness defines operational conditions outside of the bulk properties.

• Nanometer material thickness allows use of gate bias to electrically activate the sensor and eliminate substrate heaters.

Funded by DHS S&T NBCH070147

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GMOS™ Human Detector Sensor Response

200 ppm CO2 Sensor Response

9.91E-04

9.91E-04

9.92E-04

9.92E-04

9.92E-04

9.92E-04

9.92E-04

9.93E-04

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

time (sec)

Devi

ce C

urre

nt (A

)

CurrentCO2 delivery Oxygen Sensor

200

210

220

230

240

250

260

270

280

290

300

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

time (sec)

Resi

stan

ce

Oxygen Sensor

scaled Humidity

Human Breath detection.Individual breaths plus overall decrease in oxygen concentration (increase in R)

Non-heated CO2 detection.

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Nanotech for chemical detection –chemiresistor used by Smiths Detection

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Nanotech for chemical detection –CNT-based sensor developed by NRL

Functionalize CNT film for specific analytes to change resistance or capacitance(E. Snow, “NanoscienceResearch at Naval Research Laboratory”)

Protection against bio-attack

Bio-chem neutralization application under

development at ANI

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PhotoScrub® Catalyst Applications

Homeland securityBuilding protection against bio attack.Elimination of bacteria, viruses and spores

Other applications:Ethylene removal –prolonging the freshness of fruit and vegetables. Elimination of organic contaminants and indoor pollutants

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PhotoScrubTM: Introduction to TiO2 rectangular column nano-structured photocatalyst

When titanium oxide is exposed to ultraviolet rays, active oxygen is generated.

The active oxygen oxidizes and decomposes bacteria, viruses, offensive odor substances, Toxic Industrial Chemicals, pesticides and dioxins.

Pollutants break down into harmless water and carbon dioxide.

Photon

“Controlled Combustion”

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Inactivation of Biological and Decomposition of Organic Contaminants on PhotoScrub® Catalyst

Inactivation rates (single pass):Escherichia coli - 99.95%

MRSA (Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) - 99.94％

Influenza virus A - 99.00％

Proven decomposition of many organic contaminants commonly found in the indoor air (cigarette smoke, organic vapors, sick house syndrome).

Bacteria and viruses:

Organic contaminants:

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Effect of PhotoScrub® Catalyst on Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus anthracis

Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis (AMES Strain) using PhotoScrub® Catalyst

After PhotoScrub®

Before PhotoScrub®

0102030405060708090

1000 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200

Time,min

% re

duct

ion

99.5% reduction of Anthrax spores shown after 15 min.

Test performed at Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR) a BSL-4 laboratory (San Antonio, TX; USA). Anthrax spores were immobilized on the catalyst and exposed to UV (365nm).

Army Research Office W911NF-08-1-0475

Nanocomposite for blast protection

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Transparent nanocomposite developed by Texas State/NAC

Clear armor that is 35% to 40% better than current materials used for ballistics protection.Exhibits shape memory,Exhibits self-healing, allowing field repair of windows, personnel goggles and face shields. Incorporating nanomaterials enhances the benefits.

Chad Booth (left) and Gary Beall of Texas State holding samples of transparent nanocomposite.

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Epoxy nanocomposites developed by ANI

Functionalized CNTs used to improve mechanical properties

Epoxy CNT ChemicalBond

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Summary

Nanotechnology is currently used for Homeland Security and Defense applications.More nanotech developments are in the pipeline.

Thank you for your consideration