Sewer Sensor System Detects Drug and Bomb Makers

Nov-03-13 A new sewer-based sensor system could detect illegal explosive production by tracing the chemicals from the waste stream.

In development by the EMPHASIS consortium (which is funded by the European Union), the project was developed to test a concept for detecting the manufacture of improvised, illicit explosives in urban areas. The system would make use of a network of electrochemical water-sampling and air-sampling sensors placed in sewers along regular intervals. When one of the sensors detects a chemical used to make homemade explosives, an alarm will trigger at a central command center. Investigators could then access other sensors to narrow down the location of the chemicals and send field units to the area to pinpoint the exact location of the bomb-making facility.

The system could also be used to search for illegal drug factories or track drug use and types in real time.

Thumbnail Image: Hannah Swain

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[NEWSCIENTIST.COM]
[EMPHASIS]

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