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Philips Develops Roadside Drug-Testing Device

Al writes "A handheld developed by Philips for law enforcement detects traces of cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and methamphetamine in 90 seconds. The system uses magnetic nanoparticles attached to ligands that bind to traces of these drugs. Once saliva has been placed inside the device, an electromagnet mixes the sample and the nanoparticles. Frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) — the same phenomenon that underlies fingerprint scanners and multitouch screens — is then used to measure a change to the refractive index. By immobilizing different drug molecules on different parts of a sensor surface, the analyzer is able to identify traces of each different drug. An electronic screen displays instructions and a simple color-coded readout of the results."

16 of 647 comments (clear)

  1. Re:More expensive stuff... by larry+bagina · · Score: 2, Funny

    We only need to jail 536 people to save trillions.

    --
    Do you even lift?

    These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.

  2. Waste of money by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

    I knew a guy in college who could smell weed from miles away. No matter where you were, if you broke out a joint, he would magically show up within minutes. Hiring guys like that has to be cheaper than these devices.

  3. Its just a photo of a dog in a cap and glasses... by Kenja · · Score: 4, Funny

    Its just a photo of a dog in a baseball cap and sunglasses, if you totally think he looks like he could drive a truck, you failed the test.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  4. Well it was fun while it lasted by xednieht · · Score: 4, Funny

    So much for making out with crack whores.

    --

    Hope is the currency of fools
  5. Re:Legalization by The+Grim+Reefer2 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) - the same phenomenon that underlies fingerprint scanners and multitouch screens - is the used to measure a change to the refractive index.

    Perhaps the Slashdot editors should use this device prior to posting an article to the main page. The again, what do I know?

  6. Cheech and Chong by oldhack · · Score: 2, Funny

    State trooper: Do you have any illicit substance on you?
    Cheech: Not anymore, hehehe.

    --
    Fuck systemd. Fuck Redhat. Fuck Soylent, too. Wait, scratch the last one.
  7. Re:False Positives? by aztektum · · Score: 3, Funny

    if $suspect == WHITE_AFFLUENT
            return poppyseed_muffin
                    else if $suspect == MINORITY or WHITE_TRASH
                            return beatdown_arrest
    endif

    --
    :: aztek ::
    No sig for you!!
  8. Re:Its just a photo of a dog in a cap and glasses. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    And it has a multiple choice caption below it

    Pick the following which is more likely to come from the subject of this image:

    a. Meow! Meow!
    b. Arf! Arf! Arf!
    c. Hi i'm in ur clothez drivn ur truks lol!

  9. I can see the headline by DoofusOfDeath · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Philips screw driver."

  10. Re:Legalization by Leebert · · Score: 2, Funny

    Speeding is bad too - we should give all people caught speeding jail time.

    You have clearly never been to Virginia.

  11. Re:Test for impairment, not specific drugs. by soniCron88 · · Score: 5, Funny

    *hands gameboy* "Here. Either you get at least 20,000 points on Tetris or you're going to jail, pal."

  12. Re:Legalization by Shakrai · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've never had a problem smoking while driving. Friends have commented that i'm a better driver while stoned and i've done some double blind video tape tests of myself doing things stoned showing I am actually more coordinated

    That reminds me of a joke I heard a long time ago:

    What's the difference between a drunk driver and a stoned driver? The drunk driver runs right through the stop sign without even looking. The stoned driver stops at the stop sign and waits for it to turn green.

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
  13. Re:Legalization by SomeJoel · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hell, some of my friends still argue with me that THC is a hallucinogen

    They said no such thing. I think you imagined the whole conversation.

    --
    <Complete your profile by adding a signature!>
  14. Re:Legalization by Alex+Belits · · Score: 4, Funny

    rabid prohibition group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or NAMBLA

    what

    --
    Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
  15. Perfect quote... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    "If God wanted us to get high, he would have made plants that are psychoactive when smoked or ingested." -Steven Colbert

  16. Re:Legalization by mcgrew · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm a member of DAMM - Drunks Against Mad Mothers