techtalk

June 2006

Handheld Detectors Produce Fast Results

Edited by Robert H. Williams

Miniature chemical-biological detection devices, that in the future could be deployed in wireless networks to protect buildings, subways and airports, have been perfected by scientists from Purdue University in Lafayette, Ind.

Prototypes of the handheld mass spectrometers — called Mini 10s — are able to quickly identify traces of the triacetone triperoxide that was used in the London subway bombing and is found in many improvised explosive devices. Many other materials, including TNT and plastic explosives, have been tagged.

Test results are produced in seconds, which compares to the current method of collecting samples and then dispatching them to a laboratory for identification.

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