Electrostatic Reactivity Testing Device and Method

Energy stored in static electricity, caused by the buildup of electrons on an object or material, can potentially ignite volatile materials like explosives. To test a material’s reaction to static electricity, researchers expose the material to increasing levels of electricity until it detonates. However, inducing detonation is unsafe and repeated exposure to a detonation’s ultraviolet light can damage eyesight. Additionally, test results are often inconsistent because they rely on subjective human observation, which can be affected by fatigue or distractions.

To overcome these challenges, researchers at the Transportation Security Laboratory invented the Electrostatic Reactivity Testing Device and Method to determine a material’s electrostatic sensitivity without ignition. The solution identifies the energy threshold that triggers a discharge without activating the material. The innovation’s optical detection system observes the light intensity from an electrostatic discharge and evaluates if the light intensity would electrically excite the material to its reactive point.

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