University licenses explosives-detection technology.

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md., has signed an agreement with Link Plus Corporation of Columbia, Md., granting worldwide, exclusive rights to its "molecularly imprinted polymer" explosives detection technology.

The molecularly imprinted polymer sensor uses specific chemical reactions to detect explosive compounds. Under the licensing agreement, Link Plus can make, use, market and sell products incorporating the APL-developed technology.

Work with these synthetic compounds began in the 1950s and focused on silica gels. In the early 1990s, APL chemist George Murray began exploring methods to incorporate MIPs into sensors to meet the requests of different APL sponsors. Sensors to detect narcotics, iron, copper, explosives, uranium, chloride, phosphates and proteins were among the many devices Murray explored.

APL and Link Plus will integrate the MIPs technology with the Link Plus wireless communications system and explore government and commercial market opportunities. Potential products could include handheld explosives detection devices and fixed explosives sensors that can wirelessly transmit information regarding the presence of an explosive. Link Plus is currently developing products that will incorporate the MIPs sensors for various homeland security and international applications, including shipping pallets and containers, airplanes, trains, buses and subway stations.