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LONDON - Scientists have developed a scanner that can pinpoint explosives and weapons hidden in the shoes, clothing and luggage of terrorists in airport terminals.
The system - created by researchers led by Professor Wuqiang Yang of Manchester University - can detect devices instantly.
It does not require travellers to take off their shoes or place luggage on conveyor-belt detectors. Security staff will be able to spot terrorists with knives in their jackets or explosives in their backpacks as they move around the departure lounges.
News of the scanner's development comes after last week's convictions of three British men for conspiracy to murder in a case in which defendants were accused of trying to smuggle bomb-making materials on to aircraft inside cabin luggage.
The alleged August 2006 plot led to a global security clampdown at airports that has resulted in severe restrictions - still in place - on carrying liquids in hand luggage.
As a result, the scanner has triggered considerable interest among US defence chiefs, who are investing billions of dollars on research into detectors that might improve airport safety. At the request of security officials, a prototype has been sent to be tested at Dallas airport.
Yang said: "Once it has been properly developed, our device would cost only a few thousand pounds and could be installed under carpets, tiles or flooring in airports to detect shoe bombs without the use of radar or cameras. It is also capable of learning the characteristics of new threat substances."
Yang's team was also working on hand-held versions of the detector.
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