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."

Comments

Waste of money

[eln]

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.

I can see the headline

[DoofusOfDeath]

"Philips screw driver."

Re:Test for impairment, not specific drugs.

[soniCron88]

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

Re:Legalization

[SomeJoel]

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.