The detector has been developed after a lengthy R&D effort to develop
a Counter-terrorist Technology. that could effectively detect
terrorist bomb and reduce the danger to sappers. Previously detection
techniques employed dogs and special machines to "sniff" out
explosives. Hezbollah terrorism created the impetus for the project.
The aim was to discover explosives secreted in cars and suitcases
that were smuggled into Israel from the Palestinian Authority,
Lebanon or at other border crossings. The Israel Defense Forces'
Research and Development unit, focused on three identification
technologies. One was based on sniffer principles, the testing the
atmosphere for particles of explosives and having the capability to
conduct on-the-fly lab-quality analysis of the material. The second
was based on "smearing," using a specially treated cloth to wipe down
an object believed to contain an explosive and then analyzing the
cloth. The drawbacks was that both systems required physical or near
physical contact with the suspicious object. The ministry wanted a
technology that could identify an explosive from 10 meters away
Nahal Soreq have not publicly stated it but previous experience
indicates that they would consider a joint development agreement with
a foreign organization to commercialize the product.
A novel laser detector under development at Nahal Soreq, Israel's
Nuclear Research Center employs a laser beam's ultra-violet spectrum
to "light up" molecules in fumes given off by TNT explosives from a
distance of up to eight feet.