An instrument that can detect tiny (nano) explosions could lead to a hand-held instrument to screen people and luggage at airports or to detect land mines. The technology is based on miniature micro-machined silicon cantilevers one-tenth the width of a human hair that can detect tiny forces caused by heat-induced nano-explosions. The device, which boasts parts-per-trillion sensitivity, works by absorbing TNT molecules given off by explosives. As the semiconductor material absorbs the TNT and is heated with power from a simple battery, the TNT molecules undergo tiny explosions that are detected by an optical beam.
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