Ahura

Ahura First Defender:Acquisition and Applicationin the Academic Environment2013 College and UniversityHazardous Waste Conference

Kyle DagestadSean WhalenIowa State UniversityIntroductionThe Money - SeanThe Selection - SeanThe Equipment - KyleThe Goods and The Bads- KyleSafety and Maintenance Kyle

The MoneyHomeland Security Buffer Zone ProgramGrant through ISU-PoliceFTIR and RAMAN for unknowns$82,500Equipment onlyPurchased the Ahura First Defender ($35,000) and Tru Defender ($47,500)EH&S owns equipmentTru Defender on loan to Ames Fire HAZMAT

The SelectionTwo primary suppliersAhura ScientificSmiths DetectionDisclaimerRepresentative PresentationsField TestsMatrixField TestsTwo Unknown SpillsCitric AcidSoda AshLab UnknownsCorrosivesSolventsMetalsMixtures

Field TestAhuraEither Yes or NoResults50% spill73% unknownsHigh fluorescence is biggest problem

SmithsProvides optionsResults50% spill47% unknownsFalse PositivesKetamine as TNTTrimethylamine HCl as molybdenum oxide or propanol

Field Test ResultsMatrixPointed out best unitAhura scored highestAhura more expensiveHad to write justification

The EquipmentHow does it work?Raman Spectroscopy: Molecular fingerprint of the molecule

Class 3B laser excites the molecular bonds and scatters measurable light to identify unknowns

ISU Ahura library- 10,152

Why the Ahura First Defender?Currently used by law enforcement, firefighters, and the military

Very durable (4 Feet & 1 Meter)

No calibration needed-confidence check

User friendly

Ahura Customer Support- 24/7- 365

Identification Capabilities

Drugs (illegal & prescription)

White powders

Inorganic compounds- (sulfuric acid, nitric)

Inorganic oxides- (rust, titanium dioxide)

Ionic compounds-(sulfates, phosphates)

Substances in water

Identifies through container

Identification Limitations

No covalent bonds

Dark colored materials

Highly fluorescent materials- (dyes, ketchup)

The sun can disrupt scan

Most pure metals and elemental substances

Biologicals- confused by mix of proteins, and fats

Radiation, gasses, and vapors

Highly diluted substances

SafetyFollow your organizations Laser Safety Protocols -Eyewear

Maintain 14 distance

Laser activated- dont look into lens

NOT intrinsically safe

MaintenanceCleaning Water, alcohol, household bleach

Keep lens & nose cone clean

UpdatingChemical library updates

LibBuild Mode

Good spectrum, but no match? Export- Ahura Reachback

Demonstration PerformancePoint and shoot through a bottle? No problem!

Why you shouldnt scan dark colored materials video.