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RESEARCHERS SPONSORED BY the US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) have successfully tested a prototype scanner which can detect liquid explosives.

Working at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the researchers are developing the MagViz system, which makes use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to distinguish between different types of liquids, gels and lotions.

The prototype MagViz is similar in size and shape to a conventional x-ray machine, and is connected to a database containing chemical fingerprints for 50 liquids, although as the technology progresses, this figure will grow. MRI images of scanned items appear on a display screen. If MagViz recognises the liquid as something harmless, it will appear blue with a green dot. Dangerous liquids appear red with a red dot, and unidentified liquids requiring inspection will appear with a yellow dot.

"Our vision for MagViz is that it would be operated in series with more traditional X-ray systems, and a conveyor belt would seamlessly move baggage or other items from one to the next," says programme manager Stephen Surko.

It is hoped to have MagViz scanners commercially available by 2012.