Laser could be the answer to safer bomb disposal

A laser could be used to find bombs from a safe distance through vibrating molecules and detecting the unique frequencies that pinpoint their location. This new research from the Michigan State University could help reduce the number of deaths from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which currently account for more than half of the deaths of coalition soldiers.

The lead developer of the research, that appears in the journal Applied Physics Letters, Dr Marcos Dantus, explained that this procedure had always been a challenge since chemical compounds could mask the bomb molecules. Originally intended for microscopes, this new invention uses the laser beam to probe the chemical composition of an object from a distance, using short pulses to effectively ‘kick’ the molecules. However further explanation of the technology is not possible due to the sensitive nature of the project.

Although still in the exploratory phase, this is an exciting development. Dr Graham Turnball from the University of St Andrews called the technique ‘sensitive’ and explained how the fact that the laser is highly selective could be extremely useful in large and complex environments, such as airports, where current detection techniques can sometimes take a positive reading from innocent substances.

Click here to access the research.

Published: Tuesday, 20th September 2011 by Ellen Haggan