EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Australian research and development group QRSciences has secured a multimillion dollar deal with Lockheed Martin that will see its nuclear quadruple resonance (NQR) technology incorporated in airport security devices to detect plastic explosives.
QRSciences says it is one of only two companies in the world that has been developing NQR-based equipment for aviation security applications. NQR is a research method used in physics for the analytical detection of substances in chemical form. It involves radio frequency spectroscopy and can detect more than 10,000chemical compounds, including explosives and narcotics, by measuring the emission of electromagnetic energy.
The Perth-based company has developed two systems using the technology - the T3000 and T6000 explosive detection systems - but has failed to win orders to date as the system is best incorporated with a traditional baggage x-ray machine, says Rob Orr, company secretary of QRSciences and director of its 48% parent Clearwater.
The six-year deal with Lockheed Martin, the value of which is undisclosed, will see QRSciences' technology incorporated in a new "portal sentry" system being developed by the US company to check carry-on luggage. The system will be available from the first quarter of 2004.
The deal with Lockheed Martin features exclusive and non-exclusive components, which allows the Australian company to work with other manufacturers, says Orr. It hopes to announce additional deals shortly.
The technology has been subject to extensive testing. Trials have been conducted at Australia's Perth airport, Ottawa in Canada, Manchester in the UK, and last year it underwent a six-week test by the US Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration. The company has a co-operative research and development agreement with the FAA.
The company is initially focusing on aviation security, but NQR can also be used to detect drugs and biochemical hazards.
Source: Flight International
