The device called Acro-PET, or peroxide explosives tester, was said to
resemble a pen and could identify TATP, last used by Al Qaida in the
unsuccessful attempt to bomb a U.S. airliner in December 2009. Keinan said
the pen, developed in research funded by the U.S.-Israel Binational Science
Foundation, could detect as little as five micrograms of the explosive
powder.
Executives said the Acro-PET could be employed at airports, critical
facilities and mass ground transportation. They said the tip of the device
is pressed to the surface of the suspicious material, and a change in color
indicates TATP.
"But it's especially useful at airports for reducing false positives any
time peroxides or suspected peroxide materials are found," Keinan told the
Israeli website Israel21C. "The main thing is the war against terror."
Keinan has been working with Philip Dawson, a professor at the Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, Calif., to develop and market Acro-PET. The
device, which releases an unidentified solution that identifies TATP, was
expected to sell for $25 a unit through Israel's Acro Security Technologies.
Executives said Acro has briefed airliners, airports and other
facilities on the device. They said the device, patented in the United
States, would allow airline crews to rapidly detect TATP.
"There are several reasons for the popularity of TATP among terror
groups all over the world," Keinan said. "It's easy to prepare from
inexpensive raw materials, and was difficult to detect."