Lasers. They’re great aren’t they? They’re even better when they can detect explosives though, let me tell you.
British physicists at the University of St. Andrews are working on a project which could end up with these affordable lasers being placed in airports and public places with high-risk security, where people generally like to take their explosives on little walks.
It works by firing lasers at a film of polyfluorene plastic, and if there are explosives within range, the vapor they emit will cause the lasers to dim, making it visible for the people controlling the search. There are obvious risks associated with assisting an explosives search, which is why the physicists are hoping they can be dispatched and managed robotically. [TG Daily]
