Handheld detectors produce fast results.Miniature chemical-biological detection devices, that in the future could be deployed in wireless networks to protect buildings, subways and airports, have been perfected by scientists from Purdue University Purdue University (pərdy  `, -d`), main campus at West Lafayette, Ind. in
Lafayette, Ind.
Prototypes of the handheld mass spectrometers--called Mini 10s--are able to quickly identify traces of the triacetone triperoxide that was used in the London subway bombing and is found in many improvised explosive devices Noun 1. improvised explosive device - an explosive device that is improvised I.E.D., IED explosive device - device that bursts with sudden violence from internal energy . Many other materials, including TNT TNT: see trinitrotoluene. TNT in full trinitrotoluene Pale yellow, solid organic compound made by adding nitrate (−NO2) groups to toluene. and plastic explosives plastic explosive n. A versatile explosive substance in the form of a moldable doughlike solid, used in bombs detonated by fuse or electrical impulse. Also called plastique. , have been tagged. Test results are produced in seconds, which compares to the current method of collecting samples and then dispatching them to a laboratory for identification. |
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