Nov. 25, 2003 — Nano-Proprietary Inc. recently presented its concept (PDF, 65.1 KB) for nanotechnology-enabled remote explosives detectors, according to a news release.
The Austin, Texas-based company, which made the announcement during last week’s Defense Research and Engineering Conference and Exposition in Washington, D.C., said quantum dots, nanoporous silicon particles and other nanoscale devices change their optical characteristics in the presence of chemicals embedded in explosives. The changes can be easily detected from a distance using existing light-detection technology.
The company said the detectors could enable inexpensive sensors for transportation, military and industrial security applications. Nano-Proprietary plans to pick a partner to develop a working prototype, the release said.