Patent ID: 6617591
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for the remote detection of trace contaminants in a target area, comprising:a) applying sensor particles to the target area, the sensor particles capable of preconcentrating the trace contaminant and having a contaminant-sensitive fluorescent compound with optical emission that is sensitive to the presence of the trace contaminant and a contaminant-insensitive fluorescent compound with optical emission that is insensitive to the presence of the trace contaminant; b) detecting the optical emission of the contaminant-sensitive fluorescent compound and the optical emission of the contaminant-insensitive fluorescent compound with a detection means; and c) comparing the optical emission of the contaminant-sensitive fluorescent compound to the optical emission of the contaminant-insensitive fluorescent compound to determine the amount of trace contaminant present in the target area.