
This explosives test ensures safety
Herges hergex 1000 & 2000
The hergex® 1000 and hergex® 2000 explosives detection methods open up new dimensions in detection. A simple test stick is sufficient to quickly and reliably detect dangerous high-energy substances. In the case of the most commonly used and highly sensitive homemade explosive, TATP , you don’t even have to touch the substance. The gas phase above tiny crystals in a container is sufficient to detect this peroxide- based explosive within seconds.
Within 15 seconds, the stick will change color and show the result of the test.
Everything needed to perform the test is contained in a handy and lightweight container that fits easily in a jacket pocket. There is no power connection, no electronics, no warm-up time, no maintenance and no professional training required.
The test sticks are particularly suitable for on-site use under real conditions, e.g. B. in police operations, investigations in illegal laboratories, bomb disposal and security checks. Above all, however, they offer immediate safety for the emergency services on site.
This worldwide first and unique test method will change explosives testing and create safety on a national and international level.
Prof. Dr. Rainer Herges
Founder and head of development at herges detection and director at the Otto Diels Institute for Organic Chemistry at the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel.
- Member of the Society of German Chemists
- Selection Committee for the Emil Fischer
Medal of the Society of German Chemists - Honorary membership of the Israel Chemical Society
- Member of the American Chemical Society
Prof. Dr. Rainer Herges is an internationally renowned scientist with visiting professorships at top universities such as MIT (Boston) , Stanford (California) , École Normale Supérieure (Paris) and the University of Melbourne (Australia) . He is one of the most innovative scientists worldwide with more than 300 publications and more than 10,000 citations.
He was the initiator and director of a large collaborative research center with more than 100 scientists and a budget of 26 million euros. The Hergex detection method is the result of more than 12 years of research. The underlying chemical reaction was discovered and the method was systematically optimized for real applications in explosives detection.
Prof. Rainer Herges and serial entrepreneur Dr. Stefan Kloth founded herges detection in early 2020 as a spin-off from the University of Kiel.
Areas of application Explosive test
The simple, sensitive and reliable explosives detection methods hergex® 1000 or 2000 give you a better basis for making decisions in dangerous situations. The hergex test has already been used in numerous applications, for example:
- state security
- public events
- illegal laboratories
- border controls
- vehicle checks
- On-site forensics after explosions
Easy. Quickly. Reliable.
During operations in illegal laboratories, police officers or bomb disposal experts may encounter a plethora of containers and bottles containing substances. These could contain drugs, explosives or starting materials for synthesis.
Officers must first ensure their own safety. Since homemade explosives such as TATP are very sensitive to shock, friction and heat, it can be extremely dangerous to take samples for later analysis in the laboratory. With the hergex® tests, it is possible to determine immediately whether the substance in question is TATP, without touching the powder and without the risk of causing an explosion.
The hergex® tests are also suitable for post-explosion investigations to identify traces of residual explosives.
The advantages at a glance
Easy to use:
All test components are contained in a handy case small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. Reliable. Highest Sensitivity. Detects all classes of explosives.
Quickly:
Delivers results within 15 seconds.
Easy:
Light weight, convenient to carry.
Ideal:
Suitable for applications with remote controlled robots and drones.
Overview of detectable explosives
Category | Acronym | Name | hergex 1000 | hergex 2000 | Limit of Detection |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
peroxides | TATP | triacetone triperoxide | Yes | Yes | 40 ng |
HMTD | hexamethylene triperoxide diamine | Yes | Yes | 50 ng | |
oxyhalogen anions | KClO3 | potassium chlorate | Yes | Yes | 270 ng |
inorganic nitrates | AN | ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3 | Yes | Yes | 85 ng |
UN | urea nitrate | Yes | Yes | 350 ng | |
nitroaromatics | TNT | 2,4,6‑trinitrotoluene | Yes | 115 ng | |
DNT | 2,4‑dinitrotoluene | Yes | 85 ng | ||
Tetryl | trinitrophenylmethylnitramine | Yes | 85 ng | ||
organic nitrates | NG | nitroglycerine | Yes | 815 ng | |
EGDN | ethylenglycol dinitrate | Yes | 600 ng | ||
PETN | pentaerythritol tetranitrate | Yes | 1.3 µg | ||
ETN | erythritol tetranitrate | Yes | 1.5 µg | ||
nitramines | RDX | hexogen | Yes | 275 ng | |
HMX | octogen | Yes | 1.2 µg |
Easy application hergex® 1000

1. Activation
Wet the pad by briefly holding the activator bottle to the pad. The activator flows out on its own. The red dye is activated and remains active for about 15 minutes.

2. Testing
Bring the activated stick into direct contact with the substance to be tested for at least 15 seconds.
3. Read result
A 100% reliable result – very easy reading. The smallest traces of explosives are enough to trigger a color change in the detection stick.
Test stick turns green : Peroxide based explosive
Test stick turns brown : Inorganic nitrates or Chlorate-based explosives
Easy application hergex® 2000
Test steps for self-elaborations (HME)

1. Activation
Wet the pad by briefly holding the activator bottle to the pad. The activator flows out on its own. The red dye is activated and remains active for about 15 minutes.

2. Testing
Bring the activated stick into direct contact with the substance to be tested for at least 15 seconds.
3. Read result
A 100% reliable result – very easy reading. The smallest traces of explosives are enough to trigger a color change in the detection stick.
Test stick turns green : Peroxide based explosive
Test stick turns brown : Inorganic nitrates or Chlorate-based explosives
Test steps in military explosives
4. Break up
5. Dripping
If there is discoloration: STOP!
A nitromaramatic explosive was detected. Further steps are no longer necessary. You do not need a test stick.

6. Testing
7. Read result
Test stick turns brown : Nitrate-based organic explosives or nitramines.