A disclosed chemical detection system for detecting a target material,
such as an explosive material, can include a cantilevered probe, a probe
heater coupled to the cantilevered probe, and a piezoelectric element
disposed on the cantilevered probe. The piezoelectric element can be
configured as a detector and/or an actuator. Detection can include, for
example, detecting a movement of the cantilevered probe or a property of
the cantilevered probe. The movement or a change in the property of the
cantilevered probe can occur, for example, by adsorption of the target
material, desorption of the target material, reaction of the target
material and/or phase change of the target material. Examples of
detectable movements and properties include temperature shifts, impedance
shifts, and resonant frequency shifts of the cantilevered probe. The
overall chemical detection system can be incorporated, for example, into
a handheld explosive material detection system.