Quantification and aging of the post-blast residue of TNT landmines.

Post-blast residues are potential interferents to chemical detection of landmines. To assess the potential problem related to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), its post-blast residue was identified and quantified. In the first part of this study laboratory-scale samples of TNT (2 g) were detonated in a small-scale explosivity device (SSED) to evaluate the explosive power and collect post-blast residue for chemical analysis.

Trends in explosive contamination.

This study sought to assign a rough order of magnitude for the amount of explosive residue likely to be available in real-world searches for clandestine explosives. A variety of explosives (TNT, TATP, HMX, AN, RDX, PETN) in various forms (powder, flake, detonating cord, plastic) were carefully weighed or cut into containers, and the amount of residue inadvertently remaining on the work area, hands, or containers was quantified. This was used to evaluate the spillage potential of each explosive.

Capillary electrophoretic separation by double-strand polyaniline-coate capillaries of the advanced glycation endproducts formed from N-alpha-acetyl-L-lysine with reducing sugars.

Capillary electrophoresis using a capillary coated with a double-strand coating of polyaniline:poly(methyacrylate-co-acrylic acid) (PAN:P[MA-AAI) was used to separate advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) formed at 37 degrees C from model systems containing either glucose (Glc), fructose (Fru), or glyceraldehyde (GA) and N-alpha-acetyl-L-lysine (NALys). The presence of the P(MA-AA) as a second strand in the polymer allows the maintenance of the conductive state of the PAN at a wide pH range. Effects of buffer pH and coating concentration on the electroosmotic flow (EOF) were investigated.