Homemade explosives harder to make, easier to detect
Terrorists can produce homemade explosives (HMEs) easily, using readily available household products or fertilisers. The EU-funded 'Precursors of explosives: Additives to inhibit their use including liquids' (Prevail) project, the first of its kind, addresses this issue by developing inhibitors of explosives production from some common starting ingredients as well as markers to enable fertiliser-based explosives detection. The first area of research is focused on inhibiting the production of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and of concentrated HP. TATP is a terrorist explosive used by suicide bombers and the so-called shoe bomber among others. Scientists now have candidate substances that chemically inhibitthe production of TATP and concentrated HP when added to the precursors. The second area of research is devoted to developing potential markers to enable detection of the illicit use of fertilisers. Candidates have been identified and two technologies selected to facilitate detection of currently non-detectable fertiliser based HMEs. A fruitful cooperation with the industry has led to knowledge and materials exchange. In particular, coatings supplied by the fertiliser industry are now being tested with Prevail's detector technologies. Continued industrial cooperation and support is evidenced by a commitment to incorporate markers into future fertilisers. The truly innovative Prevail project promises to address the growing threat to global security caused by HMEs. Technology to inhibit explosives production and enhance illicit explosives detection will with no doubt save countless lives.