New Kind of Sensor Could Have Spotted Wisconsin Gunman-Alerted

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug. 6, 2012 - SECURITY FEAR FROM SECOND RECENT INCIDENT DRIVING INTEREST IN NEW “SNIFFER” DETECTION OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN AUGUST 6  FIRST TO PRLOG While local authorities are trying to determine what prompted another gunman’s shooting spree in Wisconsin, an experimental bullet “sniffer” system developed in Florida could have alerted law enforcement to the presence of the bullets before the gunman got to the building. No pipe dream, in the wake of the Colorado “Batman” killings the detection of the electrical field generated by primers and propellants in bullets by a new generation of security devices developed by “WEAPONDETECT” is already attracting those looking for ways to fund finding “bad guys” before they act.
“Detecting the presence of the bullets when the gunman is in the parking lot instead of trying to spot the weapon before they get to the doorway seems perfectly logical once you can make it happen, said Michael Shulman, CFO of the Emerging Growth Institute which started developing a funding package for the sensor system components after the “Batman” incident drew investment interest.
While the technical ability of the bullet “Sniffer” developed by “Weapondetect” has completed the testing phase and an initial production run is expected to be made available to Security Association members as an “add on” to existing systems, the attitude of the public is critical.
“In order to mount a very visible increase in security at places where large numbers of people gather is going to have to be addressed. It is likely most of those do not realize how many such incidents take place that do not make the newspaper’s page one or the evening news, Shulman said.”
“While those who operate large public facilities certainly don’t want such incidents, the public does not want to be reminded they are possible each time they go to a movie or a concert”, said Howard Sideman, CEO of the Virginia “think tank” that pioneered studies of explosive’s electrical signatures for detection use. He credits a scientific “new thinking approach” for finding a way to provide detection before an incident.
“While those who operate public facilities certainly don’t want such incidents, the public does not want to be reminded they are possible. That creates a unique need for a sensor that quietly detects the presence of bullets and provides immediate notification to security personnel”, said the firm’s Director of Development Rory Smith. “The topic of stopping mass killings has become a major Liberal “talking point” in the current election battles after the Washington Post  reporter stated “The U.S. experienced 645 such events(with 4 or more victims)  between 1976 and 2010”. While this sort of incident is indeed more prevalent in other countries, it is unfortunate that the U.S. seems to be catching up”, Smith said.

MEDIA BRIEFING ON TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION
The explosive detection sensor will detect the bulk explosives’ naturally occurring ultra-low-frequency (ULF) electric field.
SPECIFICS OF APPLICATION
The source of the explosives’ electric field is from naturally-occurring (5 Hz) very long-lasting static electrification effects that result from their content, manufacture, storage and end-use.
CLASSIFICATION OF EXPLOSIVE GROUPS
Commonly used high explosives are classified into three groups by the primary component when the weight is greater than fifty percent. Other specialty formulations do exist but are not commonly available.
CYCLO-TRI-METHYLENE
cyclo-tri-methylene-tri-nitr-amine (RDX formulated as C4)(also HMX and tetryl) cyclo-tetra-methylene-tetra-nitr-amine (HDX formulated as CX)
PENTA-ERYTHRITE-TETRA-NITRATE
penta-erythrite-tetra-nitrate (PETN plus RDX formulated as Semtex) ammonium-nitrate (plus select hydrocarbon oil formula as fertilizer bomb) glycerol-tri-nitrate (nitroglycerin formulated as dynamite) (also smokeless
gunpowder) 2,4,6-tri-nitro-toluene (TNT)
SENSOR OPERATION CONFIGURATION
Standoff Sensor:
• Passive standoff sensors operate in the ULF (below 4 Hz near DC) electric fields and acts as a transducer that converts electric energy into a measurable force.
• The sensor responds to ULF electric field source generated by the target.
• Selective detection and identification of the target electric field is achieved by the defined permittivity of the dielectric medium and the geometric and electrical configuration of the capacitive elements of the detection circuit.
• Eventual plans are to integrate these sensors into UAVs and robotics to allow even greater standoff detection ability. MEDIA CONTACT FR INTERVIEWS news at newsnearby dot com




CHARGE PATTERN DETECTION
The passive unattended sensor detects changes in the charge pattern in the detection area. Specifically, it detects the change in “volts per meter” in the ULF  10 Hz range.
The sensor can be tailored geometrically and by materials-of-construction to optimize detection performance for specific applications.
CHANGE IN FIELD
When the target explosive moves into the detection area, the explosive's ULF electric field changes the charge pattern on the materials in the detection area. The explosive's movement changes that capacitive charge coupling and creates a charge redistribution that is detectable by the sensor.
APPLICATIONS IN MASS TRAFFIC PATTERNS
The establishment of sensors in congregate areas such as movie theaters, sporting arenas, concert halls, and other locations to detect passage of the identified explosive potential is most likely to be used to signal apprehension personnel rather than immediately cause concerns among audiences. While the reaction of the sensor is instant and could alert general traffic, the risk of crowd reaction and panic suggests a more subdued signal concept.\
The technology will be applied for use at fixed positions for walk- through/drive-through detection of explosives to increase safety and decrease risk. This will enable detection of suicide bombers, loaded guns or explosives on people or in trucks, cars, containers, etc. at check points, entrances or border crossings as a means of indicating an alert. Sensor operation will not change the threat level pending reaction of the security personnel.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11942772/1