Sensors That Detects Potentially Harmful Substances New sensors detect explosive materials, viral particles at part-per-quadrillion level. We are frequently reminded of how vulnerable our health and safety are to threats from nature or those who wish to harm us. Now imagine being able to detect these before they happen? This is why a new sensor that identify explosive materials, particles from a virus and illegal drugs at the part-per-quadrillion level being created shows promise. The new sensors is created by University of Rhode Island Professor Otto Gregory and URI doctoral student Peter Ricci. They were developed in the Thin Film Sensors Laboratory at URI can be used on drones to identify security and health threats at the molecular level, whether it’s explosive materials, particles from a potentially deadly virus or illegal drugs entering the country.