Materials intelligence

Definition
Materials intelligence is

"[t]he collection, processing, and scientific analysis of gas, liquid, or solid samples."

Overview
Materials intelligence is critical for determining nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare threats. It is also important for analyzing military and civil manufacturing activities, public health concerns, and environmental problems.

Samples are collected by both automatic equipment, such as air samplers, and directly by humans with access to areas of interest. Samples, once collected, may be rapidly characterized or undergo extensive forensic laboratory analysis to determine the identity and characteristics of the sources of the samples.