RalDer-X: New Explosive Detection Device developed by DRDO and IISc Bangalore

On March 1, 2020, at the National Workshop on Explosive Detection, a new Explosive Detection device called RalDer-X was launched.

Highlights

RalDer-X has the capacity to detect explosives that are in the pure form and also those that are added with contaminants. It is also capable of detecting explosives at a distance. The device is capable of detecting various applications such as narcotics and also other elements that are non-explosive in nature.

Significance

Explosive Detection is highly important to inspect whether a container contains explosives especially at ports, airports and at borders.

There are two main categories of Explosive detection namely Bulk Detection and Trace Detection. Colorimetrics is the popular principle used in detecting both types of explosives

Colorimetrics

The test is based on detecting the nitrogen compound in the explosive with its color reations. This is because, almost all explosives are made of nitroaromatic, nitramine or nitrate based compounds. However, it requires physical handling of explosive. Also, it cannot be detected in a sealed container. These disadvantages are over come by the new explosive device RalDer-X.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2020