One of the most important elements of effective homeland security is a quick response to the threats of detonated explosives. These responses require sensitive explosive detection on a molecular level.
Dr. James P. Lewis, associate professor physics in West Virginia Universitys Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, has received a grant of more than $1 million from the National Science Foundation which he and his colleagues will use to develop efficient responses to explosives threats at home and abroad.
The project,Collaborative Research: Exploiting Geometry and Chemistry at the Nanoscale to Selectively Preconcentrate Explosive Molecules,will explore the interactions of molecular species and surfaces in order to create more selective explosive sensors.
Lewis will collaborate with researchers from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Jackson State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee to incorporate advances in the fields of chemistry, geometry and computer science.
The group will focus on detecting two explosive materials: RDX and TATP .
RDX , or cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, is the active component found in the plastic explosive C-4, and is widely used as rocket propellant. RDX is an energetic nitroamine-an explosive organic compound-which releases a large amount of energy upon decomposition, or breakdown. TATP (triacetone, triperoxide, peroxyacetone) is organic peroxide that takes the form of a white powder and is sensitive to heat, friction and shock. TATP was present in the London bombings of July 7, 2005.
Lewis, who holds a doctorate degree from Arizona State University, joined the WVU faculty in 2006 after teaching and performing research at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah where he developed computational simulations to understand the chemistry of explosives.
His research team has developed a code to predict the properties of a variety of materials ranging from DNA to carbon nanotubes. This electronic package, called FIREBALL , is being used by roughly 36 research groups worldwide.
For more information, contact Lewis at james.lewis@mail.wvu.edu ; 304-293-3422 (office); or 304-293-3422 (lab).