Team at Bangor develop 'nanodog' to detect and identify explosives

Image of Professor Maher Kalaji showing the the biosensor - refered to as the 'nanodog' Scientists in Wales have developed a biosensor capable of DETECTING AND identifying very low levels of explosives in the atmosphere – a technology with potential to be a major contributor in the battle against terrorism.

The biosensor was developed by a team from the School of Chemistry at Bangor University (UWB) led by Professor Maher Kalaji.

With support from the Welsh Assembly Government, the team has successfully developed the biosensor, patented the technology and are currently working towards a prototype for commercialisation.

The small biosensor device, referred to as the ‘nanodog’, employs nanotechnology to achieve its sensitivity. The sensor can detect explosives at a level in the part per trillion range. Potential applications include screening airport passengers and luggage and working alongside sniffer dogs to reduce the threat of terrorism. The compact nature of the device also offers opportunity for passive sensing in areas with security requirements and will for example sense explosives as passengers walk though security portals without needing to intrude on their personal space as current technologies do.

The biosensor uses enzymes to detect explosives – even if they are concealed. The sensor will not only detect very small amounts of explosives but can also be developed to reveal the identity of the explosive material.

The potential of this sophisticated technology has been readily acknowledged and presentations and demonstrations have been made to security and defence agencies in the UK.

The biosensor has already been tested to detect samples of explosives of interest to global security agencies and interest in the core technology has been seen in the US and Europe from governmental and private sector organisations. The feedback has been that whilst the technology is still young, it is extremely effective in response time and in detection levels.

The team behind the biosensor have also been invited to participate in a €10.4m EU project that starts in the autumn aimed at developing an integrated system for security in public places. Image of Professor Maher Kalaji exhibiting the biosensor

Bangor University will be a major partner in the development of sensors for explosives with their biosensor a core technology in the project which brings together a consortium of 26 EU organisations including various industries, border and customs control agencies.

Prof. Kalaji said the next step would involve product development and design work to make the entire device smaller and easily portable.

“It is an exciting project and support from the Knowledge Exploitation Fund has been invaluable - without this resource we would not have been able to undertake proof of concept work, a vital early step toward product development.”

Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise Innovation and Networks described the technology as ground breaking.

“The research and development carried out by our universities is quite breath taking – they provide a reservoir of untapped ideas and technologies ready for exploitation.

“This latest project could have a huge impact in the fight against terrorism and support from the Knowledge Exploitation Fund illustrates the importance of working with academia to provide funding and support enabling the commercialisation of research.”

The Knowledge Exploitation Fund is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and European Structural Funds. Its Patent and Proof of Concept Fund (PPoC) was specifically created to support commercial exploitation of academic research.

The funding provides critical support for the proof of concept stage of the exploitation process, bridging the funding gap between pure academic research and early stage application development.

It provides the finance to demonstrate the commercial potential of the concept, protect the IPR and help determine the most appropriate route for the eventual exploitation of the concept.

To date PPOC has funded 50 viable commercial ideas and nine have been patented and heading for the market.