Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have developed 'pioneering' software to provide real-time analysis of complex and hazardous chemical mixtures.

The software, designed for portable hand-held spectroscopy devices, can detect the presence of unknown background chemicals.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh, working with the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) - an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence - have pioneered a new chemical substance analysis software using new Raman spectral decomposition techniques.

The researchers say using this approach means the software can manage large spectral databases to accurately pinpoint mixtures of chemical substances.

The developers claim the new chemical substance analysis software “could play a significant role in boosting current homeland security measures and illicit substance detection”.

Samples composed of a mixture of different chemicals are a greater detection challenge than pure materials, which are typically used in laboratory studies but not representative of real world samples.

The new software is reported to be functionally efficient enough to be implemented on hand-held Raman spectrometers, “providing a portable, sensitive, non-invasive approach for chemical substance analysis”.

Rhea Clewes, senior scientist in chemical sensing at Dstl, said: “This novel software will allow us to accurately identify small amounts of hazardous chemicals much more quickly than before.

“This technology agnostic development allows a range of different signals to be separated, including analytical approaches beyond Raman spectroscopy.

“Dstl is proud to see that ‘outcomes’ from the University Defence Research Collaboration in Signal Programming, jointly funded by Dstl and EPSRC [Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council], is producing output of immediate benefit to defence and homeland security.”

The University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation arm, Edinburgh Research & Innovation (ERI), is now looking to license this technology to industry partners to be deployed as part of a commercial hardware solution.

ERI Licensing Executive, Angus Stewart-Liddon, said: “This software has the ability to transform portable chemical analysis capability in the field and give instant results to the composition of chemical mixtures.

“It adds exceptional functionality to a hand held spectroscopy device and its application, particularly for the security industry where rapid chemical analysis of potential hazardous materials, cannot be over-estimated.”