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New high-precision chemical detector to be commercialized
A start-up launched by the University of Delaware is preparing to commercialize a high-precision detector — a planar-array infrared spectrograph — that can identify biological and chemical agents in solids, liquids, and gases present at low levels in less than a second
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Washington State will put seismic sensors on viaduct
Alaskan Way Viaduct in Washington State is crumbling, but it still carries more than 100,000 cars per day, and remains the city’s second-busiest north-south arterial after Interstate 5; until a $4.2 billion replacement project opens in 2015, the state will place sensors that on the viaduct which will close the elevated roadway at the first sign of seismic activity
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New tool detects -- and neutralizes -- pathogens in mail
Using the mail as a tool for bioterror attacks may or may not kill many people, but it will paralyze a company or an organization; the psychological damage is incalculable; new tool offers mail-room protection
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New device to "smell" human fear
City University London’s researchers launch a project aims to develop two sensor systems that can detect the unique chemical signature of the fear pheromone, assessing the stress of an individual and interpreting it in security-critical contexts
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New method takes 0.2 second to test for explosive liquids
German scientists develop a novel nanoelectronic device which uses electromagnetic radiation to identify explosive liquids, or liquid components for the fabrication of explosives, in usual plastic bottles almost instantly
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DARPA seeking to improve bio-threat detectors
The agency is requesting proposals for a device that would enable faster, more accurate detection of a broad range of biological agents; DARPA hopes to create a biosensor that would identify viral and bacterial threats, and do so using a natural first-line of defense: human antibodies
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NRC rejects Westinghouse's new nuclear reactor design
In what must be seen as a setback for the nuclear power industry, the NRC said that a key component of Westinghouse’s new reactor design might not withstand events like earthquakes and tornadoes
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Landslide detector to be developed
Researchers are working in developing an early-warning acoustic sensor for the detection of landslides; current devices available for the early detection of slope failures are costly and technically limited
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Reveal Imaging awarded $3.9 million for personnel inspection system
The company said it plans to use multiple sensor technologies and automation to avoid the need for human operators to separate threats from harmless objects using multiple monitors
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A terrorist nuclear attack on the U.S. is a "preventable catastrophe"
Graham Allison assesses the likelihood of a terrorist nuclear attack on the United States — and offers the “Doctrine of Three No’s” to prevent such an attack; the central points of this doctrine: “No unsecured nuclear weapons and weapons-usable material”; “no new national capabilities to enrich uranium or reprocess plutonium” and “no expansion of the nuclear club beyond its current 8.5 members”
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A first: Criminals steal nuclear material, than demand ransom for its return
Criminals in Argentina steal cesium-137 from a drilling company, then demand $500,000 and threaten “to make this city glow” if they did not get the money
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Backscatter technology: the future of airport security scanning?
Manchester Airport is testing backscatter scanning technology from Rapiscan; the Rapiscan system works by bouncing X-rays off an individual’s skin to produce an outline image of the person’s body
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NRC investigates crack at Crystal River nuclear plant
The Crystal River containment structure is about 42 inches thick, contains steel support tendons, and is lined with steel plates; workers found a crack in the concrete about nine inches from the outer surface
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Kachemak sees growing interest from military, law enforcement
Alaska-based Kachemak Research Development developed an advanced vehicles’ undercarriage inspection system; the military and law enforcement are interested
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French may take intrusive measures to prevent inside-the-body bombers
Security experts are split over whether inside-the-body suicide bomb is a serious threat; the French say they may not take any chances, and warn that security measures at airports may become more intrusive
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