IDAHO FALLS -aho National Laboratory and the Department of Energy have joined together to test an explosive detection system at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC). INL hosted a demonstration today to illustrate the technology's capabilities and applications for the technology. This detection system is being tested exclusively at INL and is the first of its kind to be operational in the United States.

The explosives detection station employs an advanced technology to detect the distinctive chemical signature of nitrogen, which indicates that explosives may be present in a vehicle.

The explosive detection station will allow security personnel to inspect the cargo of semi and delivery trucks en route to MFC without opening cargo doors. Security personnel will perform scans on large capacity vehicles where cargo cannot be easily inspected visually. The explosive detection system will provide INL security with additional confidence that explosive materials are not contained within a vehicle without requiring a large amount of time to unload the vehicle and inspect each parcel.

The driver and any passengers will be escorted to another building during the explosives scanning process, which will generally take less than five minutes.

INL is one of the DOE's 10 multiprogram national laboratories. The laboratory performs work in each of DOE's strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation's leading center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.

For more information, contact: Misty Benjamin Phone: 208-526-5940 Email: misty.benjamin@inl.gov

John Lindsay Phone: 208-526-9078 Email: john.lindsay@inl.gov