Screening Sensor Technology as part of Passenger Checked Luggage

Triton Systems, Inc. will design, fabricate, and test a novel sensor platform for the continuous, autonomous, in situ analysis of relevant explosive compounds in passenger luggage. The technology will be based on a novel graphene based field effect transistor device (GFET) to selectively capture and detect compounds commonly found in commercial, military, and homemade explosives (HME). The sensor components will be part of an integrated system with a minimal form factor for direct placement within a passengers luggage, leading to prolonged, localized exposure to potential chemical threats. Self-power will enable stand-alone operation of the sensor before a passenger checks in at the airport, increasing the window for the detection of explosive compounds. Wireless communication capabilities will facilitate fully remote interaction with the scanning modalities employed by Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), requiring no physical interaction with threat free luggage and thereby increasing throughput. A light and motion sensing modality will prevent any potential tampering of the sensor once it has been activated and placed within the luggage. Passengers purchasing and traveling with the proposed sensor technology will be screened through a Pre Check compatible option and will be responsible for initializing its operation before the airport. Combined, the sensor components will be a widely deployable platform for an enhanced baggage screening methodology with false alarm rates below 1 percent, high throughput, and low cost, thereby improving the transportation security infrastructure in the United States.