Using Weed Whackers To Help Defend Against Terrorism

What do they have in common? They've all been enlisted in the war on terrorism.

A 3-D body scan, a sci-fi looking chemical detecting gun, an instant test for Anthrax, a cutting edge landmine detector.

They sound like Science fiction tools, but they're all designed for a high-tech fight against terrorism. And they're all developed in the desert of Eastern Washington.

"Since September 11th, our work has been more focused and we definitely see a direct application of our work out in the field," says Pacific Northwest Labs Scientist Cindy Bruckner-Lea.

One of those fields is the airport. Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Lab developed a 3-D security scanner. It will spot contraband and weapons, plastics and explosives.

"It takes about eight seconds. Six to eight seconds to (scan)," says Pacific NW Labs Engineer Doug McMakin.

Scientists are also working on a virus detecting device called BEADS.

"BEADS means Bio-detection Enabling Analight Deliver System," says Bruckner-Lea. That's a mouthful. It sounds like a James Bond device.

But, Bruckner-Lea says BEADS are the size of a human hair, and are used to pick up material in the air. They will be concentrated and analyzed, on the scene.

That means investigators could test for contaminants like Anthrax, immediately. "What BEADS does is automate that whole process so that it can be done out in the field without bringing a sample back to the lab for analysis," says Bruckner-Lea.

Another PNNL scientist showed us a blue plastic gun-like device and says, "The transducer is going to send an ultra-sonic beam."

It might look like something out of Star Trek, but this device is called AID, which stands for Acoustical Inspection Device.

"Press it up against a container, you pull the trigger, and upon pulling the trigger you inject a sound wave into the material," says Aaron Diaz a Pacific NW Labs Research Scientist.

The sound waves can then help identify exactly what's in a container. The gun's database can even tell the difference between Diet and regular Coke.

U.S. customs agents will use it to find hidden compartments or contraband. Inspectors will someday use it to check out chemical stockpiles.

"What we had here was a weed whacker," said scientist Dr. Dick Craig. "We took the cutting head off took the motor off, used it as a support."

Craig showed us the first landmine detector to spot plastic explosives, also developed at PNNL. In the war on terrorism, it will be a critical link to protect civilians and U.S. troops.

"There's very little hazard associated with laying a mine down. The hazard is taking it out," he said.

The version he has now is just a prototype. It looks like a contraption thrown together.

But, all the Pacific Northwest National Lab devices have been on the fast track to completion since Sept. 11.

Within a year, you may see these prototypes in airports and government buildings. They are the security of the future, to ward off any future threats.