Security and protection
Counter terrorism projects
We are developing new methods of finding and identifying chemical, biological radiological and nuclear material (CBRN).
Since 2005 the Police and other customers have shown increased interest in routine security screening of the type currently used only in airports. Equipment trials have taken place on the Heathrow Express and at Canary Wharf on the London Underground.
One of the key issues in places like this is the need to be able to screen much larger numbers of people quickly than in a 'standard' aviation checkpoint, but without sacrificing detection capability.
Detecting chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material
We will be examining and evaluating equipment to see which improvements to current checkpoints would enable different uses. This will include surveying brand–new technologies, some of which are not yet on the market, to see which technologies might be incorporated.
Our work on chemical and biological weapon detection involves developing new methods of finding and identifying chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material (CBRN). These include:
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ways of finding airborne material
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new sampling techniques
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methods to collect CBRN material
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making equipment less bulky both for indoors and portable devices
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low cost monitoring devices
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developing equipment to sense CBRN material remotely
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Developing equipment which will quickly identify the chemical dose someone has received so they can be treated more effectively.
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Better DNA and fingerprint techniques to help catch terrorists.
