19-11-24

Empowering National Security with the Next-Generation Scentinel II ETD System

Mass Spec Analytical Unveils Scentinel™ II Explosives Trace Detection System After Successful Eight-Month Operational Deployment Revolutionising Security and Forensic Operations with Unmatched Detection Accuracy and Versatility

Bristol, 19 November 2024 – Mass Spec Analytical Limited (MSA) proudly announces the successful operational deployment of its Scentinel™ II Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) system. After eight months of rigorous real-world use, the Scentinel II has proven its exceptional capability in critical homeland security applications, passing into routine deployment and marking a significant milestone in the evolution of threat detection technology.

Designed to meet the highest standards of national security, the Scentinel II ETD system has been deployed in high-stakes environments where security is paramount. These deployments have focused on defensive search missions during high-profile events with credible security threats, where the stakes of a delay or false alarm are immense. The system has delivered unparalleled accuracy and reliability, ensuring the safety and confidence of security teams operating under intense pressure.

Commenting on the milestone, Lance Hiley, Managing Director of Mass Spec Analytical said: "At Mass Spec Analytical, we are proud to introduce the Scentinel™ II ETD system, a groundbreaking advancement in threat detection technology. This system’s unique capabilities, from its near-zero false alarm rate to its rapid, versatile deployment, represent a level of precision and reliability that is unmatched in the industry. Scentinel II is not just a tool; it is a game-changer in ensuring national security, empowering our partners to meet the most demanding security challenges with confidence and accuracy."

Unmatched Detection Capabilities

The Scentinel II is a second-generation ETD system that sets a new benchmark for specificity and efficiency. With the ability to analyse up to 50 target compounds in a single run, the system offers near-zero false alarm rates, a critical advantage in scenarios where operational precision is non-negotiable. This cutting-edge capability has been validated through a comprehensive testing program, which confirmed the system's robustness across diverse environmental conditions and its effectiveness in real-world security operations.

Key Features of Scentinel II:

Unparalleled Specificity: Achieves near-zero false alarm rates, providing operators with the highest level of confidence during critical missions.

Rapid Deployment: If used as a mobile lab, it can be fully operational within 30 minutes, allowing for swift threat identification and response.

Versatile Application: Adaptable as a mobile laboratory or standalone unit, the Scentinel II can be deployed wherever needed, offering flexibility in dynamic environments.

User-Friendly Interface: The system's intuitive software and automated workflows minimise the need for extensive training, enabling non-technical personnel to perform laboratory-grade analyses efficiently. The software is multi-tiered making it easier to control access to sensitive information or operating parameters.

Broad Application Spectrum

The advanced capabilities of Scentinel II make it an indispensable asset across various security applications:

Ensuring the safety of high-profile events where the impact of false indications could be catastrophic.

Conducting high-assurance searches in environments where precision is critical.

Supporting mobile forensic labs with rapid identification of explosive threats.

Detecting a broad range of substances, including military-grade explosives, commercial and homemade explosives, illicit drugs, and chemical warfare agents.

Investing in the Future of Security

Scentinel II is more than just a detection system; it is a leap forward in securing the future. As MSA continues to innovate, the system's capabilities will expand, including enhancements in vapour testing and the extension of its detection range. These advancements will further empower security teams to protect the public and ensure mission success, even in the most challenging circumstances.

View the News Release here

28-04-22

Simplifying Explosives Detection

Delivering an exceptional Mass Spec-based defensive search capability is one challenge but making it assessable to non-MS users such as security personnel, is another one altogether

Mass Spec Analytical presented its latest Scentinel application software at a recent British Mass Spectrometry Society event. Produced in conjunction with our partners SpectralWorks Limited, the application takes the comprehensive analysis from a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer instrument and reduces it to a simple Yes/No result. The operator gets instant feedback and expert users can review results, either on-site or remotely.

All data is archived and easily retrieved for data mining or trend analysis. The software can be adapted to a range of other applications including drug identification.

The poster presented at the event is available here.

05-09-17

Sciex and Mass Spec Analytical Present High Resolution QTOF and SWATH Poster at BMSS Annual Meeting

Traditional security screening techniques can report erroneous responses when based solely upon collisional cross section measurements or differential mobility. A Sciex X500R QTOF coupled with a Mass Spec TEIS-3200 Ion source running SWATH software presents an alternative approach.

Sciex and Mass Spec have successfully integrated the X500R QTOF mass spectrometer with the TEIS-3200 ion source. As part of the test and validation process, the combination of a heated block based thermal desorption (TD) corona discharge ionization (CDI) source with an accurate mass Q-TOF mass spectrometer was tested for the analysis of dried explosive residues obtained from the swab of a surface. Traditional security screening techniques can report erroneous responses when based solely upon collisional cross section measurements or differential mobility.

In a poster that was presented at the BMSS Annual meeting in Manchester, September 2017, The potential application of a SWATH MS/MS^ALL acquisition for the direct analysis of dried explosive residues was reported.

Using nano-gram levels of known explosives spiked onto a flat surface that are presented to the ionisation source, both precursor and production ion information was generated in under 10 seconds. The SWATH MS/MS^ALL approach enables the analysis of accurate mass precursor ions enabling elemental composition and isotope pattern predictions and product ion data that are subsequently matched to MS/MS based libraries for enhanced identification confidence.