Software for Hazardous Chemicals Identification Developed

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Edinburgh University scientists have developed a software technique for detecting hazardous chemicals which could boost homeland security and illicit substance detection. The software instantly analyses the breakdown of complex chemical mixtures.

A security officer with a handheld device known as a Raman spectrometer can point a laser at a suspicious package or substance, which then measures reflected light and beams it to a computer, giving a reading. The new software then translates this to give an accurate description of all the chemicals used. Previous software was only able to identify a single chemical at a time. Mike Davies, professor of signal and image processing at the university’s school of engineering, said that the technique was a “particularly powerful tool” which could be used to detect chemicals used in improvised explosives or for giving accurate analysis of substances used in counterfeit drugs.

According to Edinburgh News, the team worked with the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) to develop the non-invasive technique which identifies chemicals from a large database. The university’s commercialisation arm, Edinburgh Research & Innovation (ERI), now wants to license the new technology to industry partners who would like to use it for their commercial 
hardware.

According to ERI official, “This software has the ability to transform portable chemical analysis capability in the field and give instant results to the composition of chemical 
mixtures. “It adds exceptional functionality to a hand held spectroscopy device and its application, particularly for the security industry where rapid chemical analysis of potential hazardous materials, cannot be overestimated.”

The technology comprises an immediate benefit to defence and homeland security.