This will allow better, faster decisions to be made in response to terrorist threats.
The scanning instrument will 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. It is so sophisticated it can measure particles of a miniscule scale making detection faster and more accurate.
Normally this type of spectroscopy is not sensitive enough to detect low concentrations of chemicals, so here the sample is mixed with nanoscale silver particles which amplify the signals of compounds allowing even the smallest trace to be detected.
Dr Steven Bell from Queen's University Belfast who is leading the research said:
"Although we are still in the middle of the project we have finished much of the preliminary work and are now at the exciting stage where we put the various strands together to produce the integrated sensor device. For the future, we hope to be able to capitalise on this research and expand the range of chemicals and drugs which these sensors are able to detect."
It is hoped the new sensors will also be the basis for developing 'breathalyzer' instruments that could be of particular use for roadside drugs testing in much the same way as the police take breathalyzer samples to detect alcohol.
At present, police officers are only able to use a Field Impairment Test to determine if a person is driving under the influence of drugs. The accuracy of this method has been questioned because of concerns that it is easy to cheat.
To ensure the technology is relevant, senior staff members from FSNI (Forensic Science Northern Ireland) will give significant input into the operational aspects of the technology and give feedback as to how it might be used in practice by the wider user community.
Stan Brown, Chief Executive of FSNI said:
"We consider the work being carried out by researchers at Queen's University extremely important and potentially very useful in driving forward the effectiveness, efficiency and speed of forensic science practice. The combination of leading edge research and hands-on experience of FSNI's practitioners has already proven very fruitful and is likely to lead to significant developments in forensic methodologies across a range of specialisms."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005102708.htm
10 comments:
Three things that I enjoyed about this article, is that it explains what the new sensors are for the drugs, and how it works. Also, it is well written, with good examples to help people understand the new technology. Lastly, it is interesting that these new sensors will be the basis for developing new more accurate Breathalyzers.
One thing I feel could have been improved was an explanation of the different chemicals that could be found and the ones that maybe are undetectable. Also, an explanation of how it can be cheated would help improve the article.
One thing that i learned, was that there is a new technology that will be able to make faster decision dealing with the safety of our country against terrorists
Travis’ article was very interesting. I specifically enjoyed the topic on new drug censoring; I liked how Travis described how the sensor worked and its capabilities. I also thought the fact that instruments like these will be the new basis for breathalyzers was very interesting. Lastly, I liked how Travis described the government’s hopes and ideas for this device and its potential to be very effective. I thought that this article could have been improved if perhaps Travis described if this machine has been successfully proven in the real world yet or plans for the distribution (airport security…) I was also curious what types of chemicals are used in this machine, it seems to be very complex. Overall I learned that such a machine existed and will be used in the future.
I really enjoyed this article. The article explained the new sensors for the drugs and how they work.On top of that the article also did great job of sharing interesting facts with the reader such as the fact that the sensors will be used in new breathalyzers. One element of the articl that could have been better touched on was how the sensrs are holding up in real world use. Also the faults of the sensors and ways to get around it cold have been better explained. All in all this was a great and interesting article and it is my opinion tht travis did a gret job reporting on it.
Three things I enjoyed about the article:
The review was well written and thought out.
The author explains in scientific terms how the device works
The author details how it can be used practically in the real world (Breathalyzer tests).
To improve the review, I would suggest detailing how exactly the device would help stop terrorism, as was mentioned in the first few sentences. Also, I would like to know what flaws, if any, there are to this new system.
From this article I learned that police only have one method in the field of determining if a driver is under the influence, and that it is easy to cheat. It should be interesting to see if this new device really helps police crack down on impaired drivers.
Luke Nichols
This article was very good for a few reasons. First, it explains the new sensors for drugs and how they work. Also, Travis does a good job of making the article flow with good examples. Finally, It was very interesting that these new sensors will become a basis for developing new breathalyzers.
This article could be improved if maybe Travis had went into more detail about this machine and whether it has been successfully proven in a real situation. Also, Travis could have better explained if there were any problems with the sensors. For example, if there is anyway to defeat the breathalyzer.
I enjoyed this article because it was very interesting new learn about a new technology that will be able to more efficiently deal with the safety of our country.
Three things I enjoyed about the article:
The review was well written and thought out.
The author explains in scientific terms how the device works
The author details how it can be used practically in the real world (Breathalyzer tests).
To improve the review, I would suggest detailing how exactly the device would help stop terrorism, as was mentioned in the first few sentences. Also, I would like to know what flaws, if any, there are to this new systemTravis could have better explained if there were any problems with the sensors. For example, if there is anyway to defeat the breathalyzer.
I enjoyed this article because it was very interesting new learn about a new technology that will be able to more efficiently deal with the safety of our country.
Three things that I enjoyed about this article, is that it explains what the new sensors are for the drugs, and how it works. Also, it is well written, with good examples to help people understand the new technology. Lastly, it is interesting that these new sensors will be the basis for developing new more accurate Breathalyzers. All in all this was a great and interesting article and it is my opinion tht travis did a gret job reporting on it.
Three things that I enjoyed about this article, is that it explains what the new sensors are for the drugs, and how it works. Also, it is well written, with good examples to help people understand the new technology. Lastly, it is interesting that these new sensors will be the basis for developing new more accurate Breathalyzers. All in all this was a great and interesting article and it is my opinion tht travis did a gret job reporting on it.
Three things that I enjoyed about this article, is that it explains what the new sensors are for the drugs, and how it works. Also, it is well written, with good examples to help people understand the new technology. Lastly, it is interesting that these new sensors will be the basis for developing new more accurate Breathalyzers. All in all this was a great and interesting article and it is my opinion tht travis did a gret job reporting on it.
I thought Travis’ article was very interesting. I enjoyed the topic on new drug censoring and liked how Travis described how the sensor worked and its capabilities. I also thought the fact that instruments like these will be the new basis for breathalyzers was very interesting. Lastly, I liked how Travis described the government’s hopes and ideas for this device and its potential to be very effective. I thought that this article could have been improved if Travis described whether this machine has been successfully proven in the real world. I was also curious what types of chemicals are used in this machine, it seems to be very complex. I learned that this machine is present and will be used in the future, hopefully detecting more accurate results.
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