Revolutionary chemical screen for Australia's border protection

Friday 13 October 2006

Scientists at the University of Newcastle are developing a way to screen people and cargo for illicit drugs and explosives, in a new approach to border protection and security.

A team from the University's Priority Research Centre for Organic Electronics, is working with the Australian Federal Police to develop new chemical sensors which can detect explosives and drugs such as heroin, cocaine and amphetamines.

The sensors can literally be stuck to the inside of cargo containers or coated onto walk-through screening devices, similar to the metal detectors at airports.

Associate Professor Adam McCluskey is leading the team, and said the sensors would provide an easy and cheap way to detect chemicals of interest.

"The sensors essentially 'sniff' out' the explosives and drugs and alert authorities to their presence," he said.

"Our technology allows rapid and specific detection of illicit substances. At the moment each suspicious substance is subjected to multiple presumptive colour tests, where it is placed into small testing bags with a chemical to see if the liquid turns a certain colour.

"In cases where multiple substances are detected, this process needs to be repeated, making it both time consuming and expensive. A positive match can currently only be made after exhaustive laboratory-based analysis.

"With our technology, the drug would be detected on a person, in luggage or in cargo, and correctly identified in a matter of seconds, just by that person or item being near one of the sensors.

"The technology could be applied at airports, subways and railway stations - in fact, at any major transit hub. It could also be used in covert operations."

Professor McCluskey said the technology could be up to 100 times cheaper than the current methods of detecting explosives and illicit drugs at Australia's borders.

The Centre will receive almost $400,000 from the Australian Research Council over three years for the project, and could have a prototype electronic device available within 18 months.

The University's Priority Research Centres bring together researchers across health, energy and the environment, and science and engineering, to embark on research driven by stronger strategy and maximising their competitive strengths.

For interviews: Professor Adam McCluskey on 02 4921 6486.