This device can sniff out a bomb from 20m away

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The EU-funded OPTIX (Optical Technologies for the Identification of Explosives' team used advanced optical technologies that can be mounted on a compact remote vehicle and then used to detect quantities of less than 1 mg of explosives.

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LONDON: Researchers in Europe have developed and tested a light-weight device capable of detecting extremely minute quantities of explosives from up to 20 metres away, providing an invaluable law-enforcement tool in the fight against bomb attacks.

The EU-funded OPTIX (Optical Technologies for the Identification of Explosives' team used advanced optical technologies that can be mounted on a compact remote vehicle and then used to detect quantities of less than 1 mg of explosives.

According to reports, no other research organization or company has managed to achieve this degree of sensitivity.

Armed with to lasers that can precisely identify the atomic and molecular structure of explosives, the OPTIX device can rapidly and remotely scan all objects in its field of vision such as a vehicle, piece of luggage or any opaque container, and pick up trace residue.

Lead researcher Alberto Calvo from Spain said, "Detecting traces of explosives at a distance of up to 20 metres can help to boost security across a wide range of scenarios. Not only would security be enhanced, but the inconvenience for citizens would be reduced significantly through the use of a non-invasive and non-hazardous explosive detection system."

To make the system portable, the team plans to integrate it into a wheeled platform, which could eventually resemble a bulked-up Mars Rover. The platform will move along a car park or a street, for example, scanning surfaces for traces of explosives.

A law-enforcement officer will control the roving vehicle remotely and monitor the data collected in real time.

Around 60% of all terrorist bombing around the world used Improvised Explosive Devices.

The OPTIX consortium received 2.4 million euros in EU-funding to improve the safety and quality of life of European citizens.

The OPTIX prototype has already been successfully tested in laboratory and outdoor environments, simulating real-life situations and in various weather conditions. The team plans to increase the sensitivity, precision and robustness of the system before making it available to European police and security forces.