Explosive Detection Training Device with Ionic Liquid Carrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing real-fuel test bodies for training explosive detection dogs have limited durability and volatility, leading to short usage periods and safety concerns due to explosive fragrances escaping and potential detonation risks.

Innovation Solution

A real-fuel testing body with a solid or liquid carrier material, such as silica or ionic liquid, housed in a gas-tight container with a reversible closure, preventing explosive fragrance escape and ensuring the explosive is non-detonative, thus allowing for extended and safe repeated use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the explosive is contained in a volatile carrier material (e.g., metal foam), then the scent trail is readily released for detection, but the usage duration is limited due to rapid evaporation of the odorant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage durationVSAvoidodorant escape
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and volatility parameters of the carrier material by using an ionic liquid instead of traditional volatile carriers like metal foam. Ionic liquids have negligible vapor pressure, which fundamentally alters the release kinetics of the explosive odorant, enabling controlled, long-term release without rapid evaporation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a sealed environment containing the explosive-ionic liquid mixture, isolating it from the external atmosphere. This prevents uncontrolled evaporation and allows the system to maintain its integrity over extended periods, with odorant release occurring only when intentionally activated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Reliability

If the explosive concentration in the carrier material is high enough for detection, then the scent trail is sufficient for dog detection, but the detonation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddetonation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the explosive formulation by dissolving it in an ionic liquid. This creates a solution where the explosive molecules are solvated and stabilized, significantly reducing their sensitivity to friction, impact, and heat while maintaining sufficient vapor pressure for detection by trained dogs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ionic liquid acts as an intermediary medium between the explosive and the environment. It serves as both a solvent that stabilizes the explosive and a carrier that controls the release of odorant molecules, thereby decoupling the detection function from the detonation risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the housing is opened for repeated use, then the test body can be used multiple times, but the explosive odorant escapes when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeated use capabilityVSAvoidodorant loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a sealed housing that maintains an inert, controlled environment around the explosive-ionic liquid mixture. This prevents odorant escape during storage and transport, while the system can be opened on demand for training sessions, enabling repeated use without significant loss of explosive material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables a longer-lasting and safer real-fuel test body by maintaining a controlled environment for the explosive, preventing fragrance escape and ensuring the explosive is non-detonative, thus extending usage duration and reducing safety risks.

Implementation Method 1

an explosive absorbed by a solid carrier material in the form of diatomaceous earth or by a liquid carrier material in the form of an ionic liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a closure for reversibly gas-tight sealing of the interior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas-tight sealing:

Implementation Method 3

a gas-permeable means for preventing the escape of the carrier material from the interior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas permeability: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3280255B1Aparatus for substances to train dogs for the detection of explosive materials
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 DIEHL DEFENCE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3280255B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3280255B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3280255B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a genuine-material test piece for training explosives sniffer dogs, wherein the genuine-material test piece comprises an explosive in a solid or liquid carrier material contained in a housing (12) comprising an interior space (18) and a closure (10) for the reversible gastight closure of the interior space (18) or of a space comprising the interior space (18), wherein the carrier material with the explosive is contained in the interior space (18), wherein the genuine-material test piece also comprises a gas-permeable means for preventing the carrier material from escaping from the interior space (18) when the interior space (18) of the space is not closed in a gastight manner by means of the closure (10).