New pump package detector

1999/04/18 Kortabarria Olabarria, Beñardo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Patenteak/Asmakizunak
• Robotika

The new device, of military origin, which allows knowing what is inside rare objects safely, can help decide whether or not there are explosives.

When you encounter a bag that is not from anyone, more than one is tempted to open it. Normally nothing happens, but look! there may be something that is not expected inside. And if something were a bomb, what? It is true that in such situations most of us are not able to walk with such thoughts, but some are. As a result, the new pump package detection device has come.

And how to know what's inside the packages or bags? There are few ways to resolve doubts and some can be dangerous. Therefore, it is essential to use artificial techniques to escape unforeseen events. Police, for example, use x-rays to see what is inside the object with a membrane or film that shows the interior image around the object. The problem is that sometimes this film can be dangerous. For this reason, in most cases, a massive cleaning of the area is carried out and the explosion of the suspicious package, with or without a bomb inside. Logically, in these cases, in addition to wasting time, private property can be damaged and, if applicable, cause unnecessary damage. To cope with similar situations, the American laboratory Sandia National has developed a new version of a mine detection device.

The detector is a portable device capable of analyzing X-rays that occur by reflection, so it is not necessary to place sensitive membranes on the back of the suspicious object. Researchers at the Sandia laboratory have made a new filament capable of producing X-rays that can be reflected in any object when heated with electricity. Then a sensor can give the inside image of the object. In turn, using a computer program, you can see precisely what is inside.

According to scientists, the device may be on sale before two years. When needed, police can place the detector and video camera on a platform that can move through a robot to get it to where it is needed. The robot is remotely moved by humans using a television monitor. The images obtained with x-rays are sent by cable, so in case of a premature explosion the device would be lost but not the information. Apparently, all agents in the world await the release of the detector.

Although it seems the opposite, and even if they wanted to sell it like this, the tool is not without errors. A fact: From the beginning of reading the package or bag with X-rays to obtaining the complete image can take about forty minutes. Obviously, if the device is ready for remote control or explosion at a certain time, the detector may have little chance of completing its work. According to the authors of the new tool, reading for what is marketed will be much faster.

Like every time an invention of this type comes out, for marketing and image reasons, inventors have mentioned other applications that go beyond police use, such as the search for possible prisons on the pillars and walls of all types of buildings, the detection of possible underground power lines, etc.

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