A highly sensitive bomb detector has been developed by physicists and may help combat terrorist attacks. The detector is equipped with a sensor and can detect hydrogen peroxide, which is usually present in homemade explosive devices.

Homemade bombs were used in the London terrorist attacks. Even trace amounts can be detected by the sensor making it extremely effective. The sensor monitors the electrical conductivity of a thin film material, which responds to certain oxidizers by showing an increase in electrical current and decreases electrical current when reacting to ‘reducers’. It can detect even tiny traces of hydrogen peroxide (an oxidizer) and alerts. Cobalt, for example, would not cause the sensor to go into an alarm mode, as it is a reducer. The sensor chip, which is the same size that of a penny is cost effective when, mass-produced and can save many lives.

Via Gizmowatch