Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

New Sensor Technology Looks at Molecular 'Fingerprint'

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the that's-profiling-and-profiling-is-wrong dept.

New sensor technology developed by engineers at the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory can now detect chemical, biological, nuclear, and explosive materials much more quickly and efficiently. From the article: "The millimeter/terahertz technology detects the energy levels of a molecule as it rotates. The frequency distribution of this energy provides a unique and reproducible spectral pattern - its 'fingerprint' - that identifies the material. The technology can also be used in its imaging modality - ranging from concealed weapons to medical applications such as tumor detection."

6 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. Sensor? by Mr.Scamp · · Score: 1, Funny

    When you look into the display of this device does it cast a soft blue glow on your face?

    1. Re:Sensor? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      In the words of Farty Trowels' Manuel: "Que?"

  2. Thanks Star Trek by karrot · · Score: 2, Funny

    Isn't this what the Tricoder from Star Trek did?

  3. Re:What About ... by mrjb · · Score: 2, Funny

    Cylons no. But it *does* detect any conceiled weapons they're carrying...

    --
    Visit http://ringbreak.dnd.utwente.nl/~mrjb/growingbettersoftware to download your free copy of the book
  4. Thank god I'm an american by Acy+James+Stapp · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can rest assured that this technology will only be used to catch terrorists and certainly never to infringe on my constitutionally protected right to be secure in my person, house, papers, and effects. Unless I'm at an airport. Or a public street. Or looking suspicious. Or sitting in my house.

    --
    -- Too lazy to get a lower UID.
  5. Crap joke. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    So it's a kind of Eye Of Argonne ?