UnExploDe: Portable Sensors for Unmanned Explosive Detection

The project's aim is to prepare portable sensors for explosives based on semiconductor nanowires or carbon nanotubes. Nanostructures permit the preparation of sensitive, very compact and lightweight chemical sensors able to detect the air presence of molecules of explosives emitted by solid explosives, such as Tri-Nitro-Toluene (TNT). Devices based on functionalised nanostructures have the advantage of very low electrical consumption, high chemical sensitivity, and simple technology. This will allow the mounting of the sensor on unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones able to explore hazardous environments without the direct human intervention