Scanners look clearwinners
THE fight against international terrorism is being boosted by a North-east company which says its ground-breaking x-ray product may eventually be used by every airport in the world.
Durham Scientific Crystals (DSC), based at NETpark, near Sedgefield, has won £350,000 of investment from the Home Office to develop scanning devices which detect explosive and dangerous materials in baggage and small items at airports.
The company, which aims to have both devices ready for the market within 18 months at a total cost of £1.5m, believes its new technology will be adopted by airports across the world as part of the global fight against terrorism.
Once the development stage is complete the company plans to manufacture the devices in the North-east.
The firm is developing a device to detect dangerous materials - including liquids - in small objects such as bottles, laptops and shoes which can identify flammable or explosive liquids from sight. It is also working on a large baggage scanner, which uses similar technology and allows security staff to rotate their view of luggage in different directions.
DSC managing director Dr Arnab Basu said: “When fully trialled, these machines could replace all existing airport x-ray machines throughout the world.
The news comes as work has begun on the £5m expansion of NETpark.
Property developer Helios Properties has invested £5m in its Innovation Village project - a research and development facility at the site.
The cluster of business units built specifically for hi-tech companies will allow firms based on NETpark to expand.
