Detection of explosives vapors is an extremely difficult task. The sensitivity of currently constructed detectors is often insufficient. The paper presents a description of an explosive vapors concentrator that improves the detection limit of some explosives detectors. These detectors have been developed at the Institute of Optoelectronics. The concentrator is especially dedicated to operate with nitrogen oxide detectors. Preliminary measurements show that using the concentrator, the recorded amount of nitrogen dioxide released from a 0.5 ng sample of TNT increases by a factor of approx. 20. In the concentrator an induction heater is applied. Thanks to this and because of the miniaturization of the container with an adsorbing material (approx. 1 cm3), an extremely high rate of temperature growth is achieved (up to 500 °C within approx. 25 s). The concentration process is controlled by a microcontroller. Compact construction and battery power supply provide a possibility of using the concentrator as a portable device.

Lighting technologies developed significantly in the last decade. New LED light sources, dedicated luminaires and improved lighting control techniques gave rise to new possibilities in improving energy efficiency of lighting solutions. The article is an overview of interior, road and exterior architectural object lighting design strategies. It also presents design considerations that directly impact lighting conditions and energy efficiency. Practical examples of the application of basic design strategies, accompanied by the obtained energy results, are also depicted. Issues discussed in the article may be useful in researching and designing interior and road lighting, as well as floodlighting. They can also be useful in planning and implementing strategies aimed at improving lighting conditions and energy efficiency of lighting solutions.