New bomb-sniffing laser could be used to locate IEDs

We've already seen lasers with the potential to spot explosives, and now a team of researchers is focusing its beams on roadside bomb detection. Chemistry professor Marcos Dantus of Michigan State University has led the production of a laser that has the "sensitivity and selectivity" to accurately identify improvised explosive devices. This particular bomb-sniffing laser emits short pulses that make molecules vibrate and longer pulses used to "listen" to the resulting "vibrational cords," these so-called cords are used to distinguish telltale molecules from the harmless sort. The research is being funded in part by the Department of Homeland Security. Full PR after the break.

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New bomb-sniffing laser could be used to locate IEDs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.