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U.S. considering new trainer jets
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- California-based SpectraFluidics Inc. announced its explosive detection technologies under development have successfully completed recent testing.
SpectraFluidics says its threat-detection system, originally invented at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has successfully detected trace levels of explosives including pentaerythritol tetranitrate, or PETN, the chemical allegedly carried by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab during an attempted attack on a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight.
The successful series of tests marked a milestone for SpectraFluidics, which according to a news release is developing its detection system for both a portal and hand-held configuration. Officials say the technology is expected to be released in 2010.
"Our detection technology is able to detect PETN and RDX (cyclotrimethylene trinitramine) -- another difficult-to-detect explosive agent -- at parts-per-trillion levels in air," Craig Cummings, SpectraFluidics chief executive officer, said in a statement.
