Smiths Detection & Protection Systems-Barringer is demonstrating its new walk-through explosives detection portal, the SENTINEL II, at the Grand Hyatt at Washington Center.

The portal makes it possible to screen people non-invasively for the presence of an explosive device with the same technology currently used to screen luggage and freight.

"With the SENTINEL II, it is possible to screen people -- not just their bags -- with the most advanced explosives detection equipment available," said Ken Wood, president of Barringer Instruments.

"Given the reality of actual and potential suicide bombers, people must be screened thoroughly. The recent shoe bomber incident is just one example of the necessity to screen people using this technology. However, the traveling public expects screening to be quick and non-intrusive. The SENTINEL II solves all of these issues. This technology is proven, affordable, and can be adapted to various settings and applications."

The SENTINEL II walk-through portal can screen about seven people per minute for a variety of substances and can be used in facilities other than airports, such as office buildings, sports arenas, and other highly-trafficked areas, according to Barringer.

Barringer develops and produces screening technologies and devices that can detect explosives, narcotics, chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals and other substances.

Other adaptations of Barringer's technology is also being demonstrated, including the CENTURION, an early-warning system that detects and identifies the presence of airborne chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals introduced to the air-handling systems of buildings.

All of Barringer's detection devices use Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), which performs a real-time chemical analysis and essentially identifies a "fingerprint" of a target substance. Even if a person has only a minute concentration of explosives, drug residue or chemical agent on his or her skin or clothing, the substance will be detected, according to Barringer.

Sandia developed and licensed to Barringer the sample preconcentrator used in the SENTINEL II. The technology efficiently traps the target particles and vapors from a large volume of air, then directs the concentrated chemical sample to Barringer's IONSCAN® detector for analysis.

Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin company, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. With main facilities in Albuquerque, N.M., and Livermore, Calif.

Sandia has major R&D responsibilities in national security, energy and environmental technologies, and economic competitiveness.

Headquartered in Warren, NJ, Barringer Instruments, a part of Smiths Detection & Protection Systems, is principally engaged in developing and manufacturing high technology products for drug, explosive, and chemical detection and other security and industrial applications. Barringer also operates from facilities in Toronto, the UK, France and Malaysia.

Smiths Aerospace is the leading transatlantic aerospace equipment company, with half its 12,000 staff and $2 billion revenues in North America. Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group plc, holds key positions in the supply chains of all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers and is a world leader in electronic systems, actuation systems, precision components and detection and protection systems.

Related websites:

The Sandia Sniffer

The Explosives Detector

Sandia National Laboratories

[Contact: John German]

10-May-2002