Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have devised a new chemical weapon agent sensing technique by employing lasers and tuning forks, which they claim could be used to add to the budding defense and homeland security chemical detection necessities.
The prototype of the new system dubbed the Quartz Laser Photo-Acoustic Sensing (QPAS) is ready for the testing phase. The technique has been tested OK for its ability to sense gaseous nerve agent surrogates. Michael Wojcik, a research scientist at PNNL said:
QPAS is an extremely sensitive and selective chemical detection technique that can be miniaturized and yet is still practical to operate in field environments. We’re eager to take it to the next level.
The archetype comprises 10 pairs of quantum cascade lasers and tuning forks in a box that is 12 inches long, 12 inches wide and 6 inches high. The full-fledged casing would weigh less than 15 pounds.
Via: physorg
