Hazardous Material ID Through Opaque Containers with Agilent Resolve - a Handheld SORS System

Importance of the Topic

Rapid and safe identification of hazardous materials concealed behind opaque or colored barriers is crucial for emergency response, security screening, and industrial safety. Noninvasive detection methods reduce risk to personnel, preserve evidence integrity, and accelerate decision making in chemical threat scenarios.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note presents the capabilities of the Agilent Resolve handheld Raman system, which employs spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) to identify liquids and solids inside sealed containers. The study demonstrates how the device differentiates container materials from their contents and validates identification performance across a range of hazardous compounds.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The Resolve system offers preconfigured measurement modes for thick, colored, or opaque barriers. Operators select a container type and can initiate scans via a time delay or a remote trigger to maintain a safe distance. Key features include automatic adjustment of acquisition time based on Raman signal strength (typically around one minute) and a built-in spectral library for on-board matching.

Key Results and Discussion

Logical trials covered toxic industrial chemicals, acids, organic and chlorinated solvents, oxidizers, hydrocarbons, flammable liquids, and alcohols. All substances were correctly identified through various container materials such as colored plastics, dark glass, and taped plastic bags. A case study on sucrose—a weak Raman scatterer—demonstrated the SORS algorithm’s ability to subtract barrier spectral contributions, yielding high-quality spectra of the contents.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced safety: Operators avoid direct contact with hazardous contents by analyzing through containers.
• Improved efficiency: Rapid measurements reduce time spent in protective gear.
• Decision support: Early, evidence-grade identification informs tactical or regulatory actions.
• Versatility: Broad chemical library supports petrochemicals, oxidizers, explosives, narcotics, and more.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in portable SORS could extend detection to multi-layered and highly scattering barriers, improve signal sensitivity for trace analytes, and integrate AI-driven spectral interpretation. Potential uses include supply chain security, pharmaceutical quality control, and in-field environmental monitoring.

Conclusion

The Agilent Resolve handheld Raman SORS system provides a fast, reliable, and noninvasive solution for identifying concealed hazardous materials. Its robust performance across diverse container types and chemical classes supports its deployment in security, emergency response, and industrial settings.