New instrument covertly detects signals from illicit chemicals

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Passive millimeter-wave spectroscopy can detect illicit chemicals in gas plumes like the one above from a distance. Since the device does not emit any signal the spectroscope will allow for covert inspection of suspicious operations. Credit: ANL
Passive millimeter-wave spectroscopy can detect illicit chemicals in gas plumes, like the one above, from a distance. Since the device does not emit any signal, the spectroscope will allow for covert inspection of suspicious operations. Credit: ANL

A new award-winning innovation developed at the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory can covertly detect chemical plumes at great distances and may help thwart future chemical or nuclear-based terrorist attacks. The technology has a number of other uses, as well, from detecting environmental pollution to determining the extent of tissue damage in burn victims without physical contact.


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