Beside traditional questions relating to the characterisation of new energetic materials, researchers working in this area are concerned with the development of sensitive detection methods for explosives and hazardous substances, for homeland security applications.

Beside the on-site detection of explosives in water or in the soil, emphasis is placed on security-related detection processes for the detection of explosives. The aim is to develop new, highly-sensitive detectors and stand-off measurement techniques, which enable precise detection of explosives within a short timeframe.

The characterisation of explosives with chromatographic, spectroscopic and thermoanalytical analysis techniques serves to identify and evaluate the chemical performance data of explosives, conventional and energetic plasticisers, polymer binding agents, stabilisers and oxidants.

A further research field is the development of sensor coatings based on molecularly imprinted polymers. The current focus is on the rapid and selective detection of explosive substances such as TNT, DNT, TATP or chemical toxins, especially in the gas phase.

Investigations into the aging, stability and compatibility of energetic and polymer materials are aimed both at the identification of aging mechanisms and at the development of suitable methods to decelerate the aging process.