Hand-Held Detection

Mar 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Since Sept. 11 the transportation industry has become the most vulnerable sector for terrorist attacks. More security officers have been hired to protect the millions of Americans that step onto a plane, train, bus, or subway every day. Even with all the precautions, there are limits to the current security technology. Fortunately, the scientific world is taking heed.

“Obviously, the major problem right now [for the Transportation Authority] is that when a threat is detected, it can turn into a multiple-life-threatening situation,” says Dr. Hal Simeroth, vice president of product development for Senz-It Inc., a subsidiary of World Am Inc., Newport Beach, Calif. “If they find someone that is a potential threat, security officers have to chase them down, putting others' lives in danger.”

A new technological device from Senz-it Inc., developed at State University of New York State (SUNY) at Buffalo, would seek to eradicate the threat of putting additional lives in danger.

Senz-it's advancement in the field of micro-sensors has applications in Homeland security, indoor air quality monitoring, food processing, health care as well as transportation. The subsidiary is less than a year away from putting a device on the market that can be portable or placed in a fixed location, depending on the application. The key to the device is a slide the size of a dime that can detect 20 to 30 analytes, or chemical substances that could be used for explosives.

“Through a chemical process, a Molecular Imprinted Xerogel (MIX) creates very small sensing elements that have the imprint of the target molecule to be sensed along with unique fluorescent molecules that are placed inside the imprint. When a dangerous analyte fits the imprint, like a key in a lock, it blocks the fluorescence,” Simeroth says. “We're looking for the quenching of the light energy that tells us we have detected the analyte, and depending on how much the light is darkened, we can pinpoint the level of concentration.”

The actual device would be akin to the size and complexity of a Blackberry with a small computer having a simple radio frequency transmitter. This RF transmitter would send a warning to the main computer that is tied into a wireless network. Also, a simple display and/or an audio message could alert an operator of the device. The apparatus could either be placed into an existing air ventilation system as a fixed unit, or turned into a hand-held device with a small airflow unit that takes air in and passes it through the sensor array. The MIX sensing array would be put on a micro slide that would fit in a secure mechanical assembly.

Each unit would be tailored for the client, from buses to border patrol, as to which analytes to look for, whether it is explosives, bio-weapons, gases, sarin or mustard gas, gun powder or drugs. Almost any dangerous molecule could be imprinted on the slide once the right chemical formula is determined.

“In the case of airline security, the best way to use the hand-held would be to wave the device in a six-inch perimeter around a passenger or the outside of luggage. The creation of any airborne target molecules would be picked up in the sensor,” Simeroth explains.

The new technology is tentatively scheduled to hit the market in 11 months for the in-line detector that sits in either a liquid or air collection system and in 15 months for the hand-held unit with a built-in air collection system. The cost is expected to vary from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the features and functions.

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© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

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