WILMINGTON, Mass. – Ahura Scientific, Inc., a leader in handheld systems for chemicalentification, today launched its new FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared) platform with the introduction of TruDefender™ FT, a three-pound handheld FTIR system for field-based chemicalentification. Optimized for hazmat and military communities, TruDefender FT is a vitally important extension to the first responder’s toolkit, enabling users to analyze – and act – faster than ever before, with an instrument small enough to fit in a cargo pocket. FTIR spectroscopy is a widely-accepted and highly-selective technique for chemicalentification that iseally-suited for many industries, including public safety applications like hazmat response. Building on its legacy in handheld Raman spectroscopy, Ahura Scientific recognized FTIR’s promise and developed an ultra-compact, easy-to-use FTIR system designed to the same exacting standards as the company’s award-winning FirstDefender®.  The launch of the FTIR platform underscores the company’s ability to leverage different molecular spectroscopy methods to support an array of applications and markets. TruDefender FT will be demonstrated at PITTCON 2008 Booth #2204 in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 3–6, 2008. In addition to the safety and security market, Ahura Scientific’s new FTIR platform can be applied to a range of quality control (QC), product verification, and raw material inspection applications in the industrial sector, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, food production, petrochemical processing, and composite analysis. "Timely and accurate substanceentification in the field is critical,” said Matthew Farr, senior homeland security analyst at Frost & Sullivan.  “A rugged, handheld and user-friendly FTIR device has the potential to revolutionize the way first respondersentify and analyze substances in the field, greatly improving their decision-making capabilities." With chemical threats growing every day – whether acts of terrorism, illegally dumped industrial materials or clandestine drug labs – public safety demands that onsiteentification capabilities continue to advance.  Two of the most widely-adopted technologies forentification of unknown solids and liquids are Raman and FTIR spectroscopy.  The strength with which a substance responds to each technology is dictated by its unique molecular structure, with some responding extremely well to FTIR analysis, and others better suited to Raman.  TruDefender FT was designed to complement Ahura Scientific’s FirstDefender Raman instrument to maximize coverage of a broad range of unknown substances.  When used alone, each product quickly provides the analysis results needed to evaluate andentify unknown substances for safe remediation.  When used together, TruDefender FT and FirstDefender can serve as confirmatory techniques and provide a more comprehensive assessment of a given scenario for greater confidence in response. “TruDefender FT is a sophisticated FTIR system that literally fits in the palm of the hand,” said Doug Kahn, chairman and CEO of Ahura Scientific, Inc. “Our goal with TruDefender FT was to make it as robust and easy-to-use as possible, while maintaining the product accuracy and portability our customers have come to expect from Ahura Scientific.” Key Features and Benefits Built to meet the needs of the first responder, TruDefender FT is ergonomically designed for use in protective gear, and rugged enough to withstand the rigors of field use.  Additional features and benefits of TruDefender FT include:

• Instantentification of a range of unknown chemicals: rapidlyentifies solids, liquids and mixtures including chemical weapons, toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), toxic industrial materials (TIMs), explosives and their precursors, narcotics, contraband, and more.  Particularly well-suited for colored materials and fluorescent samples.

• Complementary technology: works side-by-side with FirstDefender to enableentification of a broad range of unknown substances.

• Fast, accurate analysis: results delivered in seconds. Eliminates response time typically required to remove a sample from the hotzone and prepare it for analysis.

• Ground-breaking design: lightweight - less than 3 pounds (1.4 kg) - rugged system designed for field use directly in the hotzone.

• Precise results: custom software provides clear, definitive results that don’t require user interpretation or judgment, even for complex mixtures.

• Easy to use: intuitive menu-driven user interface enables even novice users to be proficient with minimal training.

• On-board hazard database: provides full safety and treatment information, further speeding appropriate response and medical treatment.

• Minimal maintenance: self-contained unit requires no scheduled maintenance or calibration, and uses no consumables.

• Flexible power source: rechargeable lithium ion battery or commonly available SureFire™ disposable batteries.

For more information: visit www.ahurascientific.com/FTinfo or call +1.978.642.1132 About Ahura Scientific, Inc. Ahura Scientific, Inc. develops rugged, ultra-compact, field-enabled optical systems for the immediateentification and authentication of liquid and solid chemical substances. Customers include agencies and companies serving the homeland security, life sciences, industrial and medical markets. Manufactured in the USA in an ISO 9001-certified facility, the company's products offer exceptional portability and performance. For more information visit www.ahurascientific.com. For more information, contact: Gretchen Mather, Account Director Two Roads Communications, Inc. Phone: (617) 395-1202 Email: gretchen@tworoadscommunications.com