Nanotechnology Scanners Boost Airport Security

Nanotechnology Scanners Could Boost Airport Security Nanotechnology could be used improve airport security, according to companies developing a new generation of scanners.

Several companies are currently working to develop scanners which use far more sophisticated laser systems, based on nanotechnology rather than traditional screening methods.

The people behind the technology say the new scanners have the potential to signficantly improve security at airports, complementing existing security measures such as X-ray machines and metal detectors.

They say nanotechnology enables agents linked to explosives or chemicals to be identified more precisely, whilst at the same time speeding up the security screening process.

Nanotechnology Scanners Able to Detect Explosives, Chemicals

One of the nanotechnology scanners has been developed by Cascade Technologies.

Their system works by using an infra-red laser to scan the "chemical fingerprint" left on people's clothing or on their baggage.

From this, the scanner is able to identify any residual molecules that are linked to explosives.

Cascade say their system is so sensitive that it is able to detect "a drop of contaminated water in an Olympic swimming pool."

They say the technology could be installed in an X-ray machine, so enabling people's baggage to be checked, or installed on a walk-through security portal which would check the passenger as they passed through.

Cascade's system is not the only nanotechnology scanner that has been developed.

Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia have created a system that uses electromagnetic waves to identify molecules associated with chemicals and biological agents in the air.