Survey of Bioluminescence Research Pertinent to Explosives Detection.

摘要

Bioluminescence has been offered as a means of detection for mines. In this instance, luminous microbiological specimens when exposed to explosives vapors characteristic of mines would change light levels, sometimes increasing light intensity and sometimes decreasing light intensity. The amount of change related to the concentration of the vapors present. This report presents a literature review of aspects of bioluminescence pertinent to explosives detection including the origins of the bioluminescent property, its generation, growth, and the effects of environmental parameters such as temperature, pressure, pH, and previous history. The structure of the bioluminescent species is discussed including the form contributory to the bioluminescent phenomenon; spectroscopic and chemical observations are included. An appendix detailing MERADCOM's efforts in bioluminescent detection is included which illustrates the sensitivity and specificity of the specific micro-organisms developed for TNT vapor detection. The responses to various chemicals both like and unlike TNT and ways and means of increasing the sensitivity and specificity were part of the MERADCOM efforts. The cost of the MERADCOM effort from 1970 to 1974 included. (Author)