Harris, Betty
1940- · Contribution: 1984
Spot test for explosives detection (TATB Spot Test)

Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Impact on the world
Her field test allowed rapid, safe detection of explosives, becoming an important tool in forensic science and counter-terrorism work worldwide.
Life & background
A chemist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Harris developed the TATB Spot Test, a method for quickly identifying explosives in field environments, with lasting applications in public safety and security.
Sources
- BlackPast.org; Chemistry World (Royal Society of Chemistry); U.S. Patent 4,618,452
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