Smiths Detection, Torion partner

DANBURY, Conn., Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Smiths Detection has partnered with U.S. company Torion Technologies to develop a new portable chemical threat detection device.

The announced partnership will combine Smiths Detection and Torion's threat detection technologies in a move to offer emergency responders and other defense and homeland security personnel a next-generation chemical warfare detection capability.

Officials say the alliance brings together Torion's gas chromatography mass spectroscopy analytical technologies with Smiths Detection's gas chromatography toroidal ion trap mass spectrometry systems.

The detection instrument offers new sensitivity and selectivity in identifying dangerous chemical warfare substances in air and liquid samples.

"This partnership will enable Smiths Detection and Torion to leverage each company's core strengths, resulting in a highly portable, durable and reliable system," Mal Maginnis, Smiths Detection global military and emergency responders president, said in a statement.

"It supports our most important objective, which is to supply military and civil emergency responders worldwide with advanced detection and identification solutions."