SubscribePortable lightweight desktop explosives/narcotics detection system
The EGIS Defender Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) system manufactured by Thermo Electron Corporation combines forensic technology and performance with rugged packaging, portability, reliability and ease of use. The highly flexible dual technology platform provides extremely low false positives for high inspection throughput to assure the success of security missions around the world.
Background
The next generation explosives detection system from Thermo is based on our patented High-Speed Gas Chromatography (HSGC) technology combined with Micro Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry (DMx) setting a new benchmark for performance in the high-end Explosive Trace Detection system market.
With the combination of these dual technologies the EGIS Defender offers the highest performance available and simultaneously detects plastic, commercial, and military explosives, TATP, HMTD and AN-FO, as well as ICAO marker compounds and narcotics in a lightweight package.
Among EGIS Defender’s most significant features is its ability to detect new and emerging threats through software upgrades, eliminating the risk of technology obsolescence.
Technology
- High Speed Gas Chromatography with Micro Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry (HSGC-DMx)
Benefits
- Very low false alarm rate
- Expanded range of detectable components–including TATP, HMTD, and AN-FO
- Expandable software to enable detection of emerging threats
- High sensitivity
- Fast analysis time
- Lightweight desktop detector
- Small footprint
- Carrier gas not required
Features
- Identification of explosives
- Simultaneous explosives/ narcotics detection
- Detects ICAO taggants
- Internal printer
- Customized reports
- Wireless and Ethernet data transfer
- Compatible with Thermo matrix system
- Remote diagnostics and Direct Connect
- Service Link
Applications
- Aviation Screening
– Security checkpoints
– Hold baggage
– Cargo - Military
– Access point control
– Border crossings - Critical Infrastructure
– Nuclear power facilities
– Chemical plants - Commercial / Federal Buildings
– Embassies
– Corporate mail rooms
– High-rise facilities - High-Security Events
– Conventions
– Major sporting events
EGIS Defender Technology vs. IMS/ITMS
The ideal laboratory method for separating compounds of interest out of a complex mixture is by a technology known as gas chromatography. The EGIS Defender uses high-speed gas chromatography (HSGC) to separate explosives out of any sample matrix, allowing for extreme accuracy.
Once the explosives are separated, the EGIS Defender employs a second technology known as Micro Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry (DMx) to provide simultaneous detection of explosive compounds and narcotics down to a trillionth of a gram.
Micro Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry (DMx) technology allows for detection of the new and emerging threats, such as TATP, facing security professionals today. With the powerful combination of HSGC and DMx, the EGIS Defender will also meet the emerging threats of tomorrow, eliminating the risk of technology obsolescence.
The EGIS Defender first applies HSGC to separate compounds of interest with extreme accuracy. Once the explosive samples have been separated the EGIS Defender then employs the unique ion filtering capabilities of DMx to provide additional positive identification of trace amounts of explosive or narcotic compounds down to a trillionth of a gram.
Unlike existing analytical methods, Thermo’s DMx employs dedicated positive and negative ion detectors running simultaneously, significantly improving the ability to detect peroxidebased explosives such as TATP, as well as providing the ability to detect narcotics within the same analysis. Competing systems either alternate between detecting positive/negative ions or may even be limited to tracking only positive or negative ions, greatly reducing sensitivity and overall effectiveness in detecting the full range of threats.
With advances in HSGC technology, the need for helium or hydrogen carrier gas for operation is no longer required. Environmental factors such as humidity, daily temperature and barometric pressure changes, altitude, and pollution do not affect operation as they are known to do with traditional IMS/lTMS.
Interferences/False Positives
As for interferences and masking agents, EGIS Defender has the ability to successfully confirm the absence of explosives despite the presence of interferences and can successfully determine the presence of explosives despite the presence of agents known to disguise explosives. The combination of these two technologies results in very low false positive identification and false negative misses, without sacrificing sensitivity.
IMS/ITMS systems rely on only one technology for identification, so accuracy, sensitivity, and compounds detected must be traded off against each other to achieve only marginal results.
- As more unknown compounds are added to the IMS/ITMS compound reference library, or additional explosive compound identification is required, accuracy and/or sensitivity must be sacrificed. IMS/ITMS field units typically produce 2-3% false positives when operating at marginal sensitivities, as compared to the Defender that produces less than 0.2% false. False positives add significant costs and time, especially for vehicle and cargo screening operations.
- When a system routinely alarms falsely for no reason, the operators lose their edge and become lax. Once they lose confidence in the system, the opportunity exists for careless operation which can result in not taking a true positive serious, resulting in dire consequences. In addition to slowing down throughput and causing other logistical issues, falsepositives also create a dangerous situation.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity advantage of the EGIS Defender allows for detection of low vapor pressure explosive compounds, such as plastics (RDX, PETN, C4, Demex, and SEMTEX), with an air sampler—providing an even greater probability of detection.
ICAO Marker Compound Detection
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has developed standards for certain high vapor pressure marker compounds to be used in the production of commercial and military explosives. These compounds provide a chemical fingerprint that is used to identify the origin of manufacture of explosive compounds.
One of the benefits of marker compound detection is that it gives the ETD system a high vapor pressure compound that is readily collected by an air sampler to look for in conjunction with the low vapor pressure explosive compound. EGIS and EGIS Defender systems are the only ETD’s capable of detecting the four ICAO marker compounds, a requirement of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC).
Narcotics Detection
The EGIS Defender system is capable of simultaneously detecting and confirming the presence of both explosives and trace amounts of many Narcotics, including; Cocaine, Heroin, THC (marijuana), PCP, Methamphetamines, Ecstasy, LSD, and Morphine.
Reliability
Although High-Speed Gas Chromatography (HSGC) is well known for its dominance as a forensic laboratory technology, it has been designed to withstand the rigors of the real world. Every day, over 120 U.S. airports and another 50 around the world depend on Thermo’s HSGC technology to provide maximum security.
The EGIS Defender system, with its small footprint amd light weight package, is designed to be either repaired in the field if something happens, or returned to the manufacturer for repair. Field repairability is a key advantage when supporting systems in far-reaching countries around the world.
Training and Support
Thermo routinely holds advanced training programs for engineers and maintenance personnel. Once a person is properly trained, they have access to technical support via telephone. On-site technical support packages are also available. Thermo is set to support installations around the globe, with major service centers in Germany, U.K., Japan, U.S., and Saudi Arabia—along with several other satellite locations.
Ease of Use
The EGIS Defender is designed to be easy to use for all operator skill levels. The system automatically starts, interprets results, and calibrates itself.
The EGIS Defender explosive and narcotics trace detection systems are highly sensitive devices developed to detect various types of commercial and military explosives. You can be confident that our versatile solutions and worldwide customer support will ensure you maximum productivity.
EGIS Defender
Technology
High-speed gas chromatography (HSGC) with micro differential ion mobility spectrometry (DMx)
Detection Mode
Full-time simultaneous positive/negative mode
Explosives Detected
EGDN, NG, DNT, TNT, PETN, RDX, ANFO, TATP, HMTD, HMX, Tetryl, and ICAO marker compounds
(DNMB, O-MNT, P-MNT)
Narcotics Detected(optional)
Cocaine, Heroin, THC (marijuana), PCP, Methamphetamines, Ecstasy, LSD
False Alarm Rate
Below 0.2% for typical screening
Explosives Lower Detectable Limits
Standard 300 pg
Performance Upgrade 50 pg
Narcotics Lower Detectable Limits
Standard 10 ng
Performance Upgrade 1 ng
Analysis Cycle
6–10 seconds
Start-up Time
15 minutes
Display
Color LCD
Alarm Notification
Audible and LCD
Packaging
Standard lP-20
Military Upgrade lP-53
Operational Temperature Range
0°C to +40°C (+32°F to +104°F)
Storage Temperature Range
–20°C to +50°C (+14°F to +122°F)
Operational Humidity Range
5% to 95% non-condensing
Power Input
100–120 / 200–240 VAC 47–63 Hz
Dimensions
22 W × 22 L × 10 D in. (56 × 56 × 25 cm)
Weight
40 Pounds (18 kg)
