Explosive

New airport security scanners raise concerns
Canada’s privacy watchdog said it agreed with federal authorities that full-body scans should be used at Canada’s airports; security personnel would be in a separate room while viewing the image and would never come in contact with the person being screened
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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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Imagining new threats -- and countering them
DHS air transport security lab is in the business of imagining new threats — then developing the technologies to counter them; their dream? To build a “tunnel of truth” in each airport lined with hidden sensors, scanners, and rays; passengers would get zapped and sniffed as they passed, and would not need to take off their shoes, toss their liquids, or anything else
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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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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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O'Hare gets grant for baggage screening system
DHS’s push for better baggage screening at U.S. airports continues; the latest recipient of baggage screening upgrade grants: Chicago’s O’Hare
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Princeton, Rice researchers develop new sensor for nitric oxide
Researchers develop new nitric oxide detector; the sensor could now be incorporated into a portable, shoe-box-sized system ideally suited for mass deployment in large-scale unattended sensor networks
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New advanced sensors developed
Queen’s University Belfast researchers use Raman spectroscopy, which involves shining a laser beam onto the suspected sample and measuring the energy of light that scatters from it to determine what chemical compound is present; they mixed nanoscale silver particles to amplify the signals of compounds
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New York City to expand Ring of Steel's coverage
The system of surveillance cameras; license-plate readers; and chemical, biological, and radiological sensors that protect lower Manhattan will expand to cover mid-town
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Cheap, sensitive sensors could detect explosives, toxins in water
Terrorists could try to mix sarin into a reservoir or water mains; an electronic sensor that can instantly detect very low concentrations in water would be a desirable technology for staying ahead of potential attacks; Stanford researchers develop such a sensor
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Bomb hidden in body in Saudi attack "invisible" to normal detection
A terrorist in Saudi Arabia tried to kill the Saudi antiterror chief by carrying explosives inside his body; experts say there are “tremendous implications for airport security with the potential of making it even more complicated to get on to your plane”
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ASE shows cargo and vehicle inspection system
American Science and Engineering, Inc. combines its patented Z Backscatter technology with High Energy Transmission to offer enhanced scanning system for vehicles, cargo; system may be used in drive-by mode to scan stationary objects, or in portal mode to scan vehicles as they drive past the system
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DHS emphasizes improved baggage screening
More than half of the stimulus package money TSA received — some $700 million — will go toward improving baggage screening at airports; in all, twenty-five airports would have their systems upgraded
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Des Moines International renovates baggage screening area -- and terminals
Iowa’s Des Moines International is renovating its baggage screening area — but uses the occasion for renovations to two terminals, bringing their style out of the 1980s and into this century
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Kansas City International Airport again to receive stimulus dollars
Kansas City International Airport will receive a $9.3 million stimulus package grant for new and enhanced closed circuit television systems; the airport’s new inline baggage screening system is already completed so it was not eligible for funding
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