Innovative Technology Provides Airport Security Breakthrough
Kromek's revolutionary new terrorism prevention technology
Kromek, the developer of digital colour imaging for use in x-rays and scanners, is delighted to announce the launch of the Bottle Scanner, a new liquid explosive detection system. The Bottle Scanner can help safeguard against terrorism and smuggling. At events in Dubai and Washington, Kromek will unveil this groundbreaking new product which will be available for commercial use from February 2009.
Harnessing its new generation digital colour x-ray detectors, Kromek has developed a scanner which can identify and categorise liquids in bottles in less than 20 seconds. The system can be used for a wide range of security applications such as the detection of liquid explosives, screening for alcohol and also for dissolved narcotics in other liquids. This can all be done without the need to open the bottle or sample the liquid.
The desktop inspection unit, which requires minimal operator training, will improve security and may enable the authorities to allow passengers to carry liquids on board, relaxing the current restrictions at airports without reducing security levels. This product will also allow screening of bottled liquids in other public areas such as sports arenas for threat or restricted items and allow border control forces to detect narcotics.
Commenting on the technology, Dr Arnab Basu, Chief Executive Officer of Kromek said:
“Our revolutionary bottle scanner identifies threat materials in liquid form in a matter of seconds enabling increased capability at airports. It will also lead to an easing of passenger frustration due to the current restrictions on carrying liquids on board. The potential market for this product is very large and we are already receiving high levels of interest from potential users.’’
The Bottle Scanner can handle various shapes and sizes of glass, plastic and metal containers. Additional liquids can be added to the system data base which the user can categorize. It is one in a series of products Kromek will be launching over the coming months, including its 311+ scanner to check for explosives in the plastic 311+ bags in which air travelers must carry fluids.
Kromek is also pioneering the development of 3D and colour x-ray imaging, introducing new levels of capability in baggage screening applications. These baggage screening systems will produce 3D images of a bag giving operators a much better visualization of the objects inside and will automatically identify any threat material within the bag. The Company is currently carrying out the development of its baggage imaging systems under contract with the UK Home office and is in talks with a number of interested parties about licensing its technology.
For further information
Kromek
Arnab Basu, Chief Executive Officer Financial Dynamics
+ 44 1740 625255
Ben Atwell / Susan Quigley
+44 (0) 20 7831 3113
Notes to Editors
Kromek is a venture backed high technology company, which was spun-out in April 2003 as Durham Scientific Crystals, from the Physics Department of the University of Durham. Rebranded as Kromek in May 2008, its pioneering digital colour imaging for x-rays and has brought ground-breaking innovation to materials technology and advanced 3D imaging that will literally change the way in which we see the world.
The Company specialises in making semiconductor materials within the Cadmium Telluride family. These materials have significant applications as detectors of x-rays and gamma rays, notably in medical imaging, security screening, industrial inspection and space exploration, allowing for very precise identification of materials. Cadmium Zinc Telluride is also the material of choice as a substrate for the fabrication of infrared detectors in both civilian and military markets. In addition to its range of semiconductor materials, detector packages and non imaging detection systems Kromek also supplies x-ray imaging packages with multi view capabilities. These x-ray display platforms provide real 3D x-ray imaging for the first time without specialist viewing equipment.
