EADS’ “hyper-sensitive artificial nose” wins BDI Defence Industry Technology Prize

The Federation of German Industries (BDI) awarded the Defence Industry Technology Prize to the EADS Corporate Research Centre Germany on Tuesday in Berlin for its development of an artificial nose that acts as an analytical sensor for sniffing out even the smallest amounts of hazardous substances. This prize was offered on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the German Armed Forces for the first time.

The artificial nose is highly selective, highly sensitive and extremely fast in sniffing out explosives, drugs or poisonous gases. In contrast to other existing electronic noses, this system combines the technology of an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with a laser beam.

“We are proud of our EADS research team and its hyper-sensitive artificial nose. This successful development convincingly demonstrates that advanced technologies can act as impulses emanating from the defence industry in Germany. We are pleased that we could celebrate this in connection with the 50th anniversary of the German Armed Forces”, said Stefan Zoller, CEO of EADS Division Defence & Security Systems.

Possible practical applications for the artificial nose range from airport security or air quality to mine detectors and medical diagnosis. The primary work for this technology was carried out during the MILAN project (miniaturized laser ion mobility spectrometer for analysis), which was sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The technology is currently undergoing diverse tests under the heading “Detection of Hazardous Materials” as part of the European research project SAFEE (Safety of Aircraft in the Future European Environment).

With the laser IMS process, the gases that are constantly given off by chemical substances such as explosives and drugs are first sucked into a measuring device. Here, the gas molecules are ionized by laser beams and converted into electrically charged particles. Two mirrors then reflect the laser beam back and forth several times and increase its length. Thanks to the higher probability of hits, more molecules of the substance being looked for are identified and the efficiency of the artificial nose is considerably increased. The ions are then accelerated in an electrical field and measured according to their substance-specific velocity at the end of the electrical field. The measurement result gives a “fingerprint” of the analyzed substance. In this way, whether or not the substance being searched for is present in the sample can be determined within a fraction of a second. Generating a vacuum or complicated sample preparation is not necessary for the analysis. “The big advantage of the process is that it works with laser beams and not with radioactivity as is usually the case”, explains Johann Göbel, head of the EADS research team that received the prize. This new technology allows a pre-selection to take place whereby irrelevant substances such as perfume vapour, for example, are rejected before the actual analysis is performed. Göbel and his colleagues have been carrying out research on this project for around three years. “Naturally we are delighted with this recognition of our work, which presented us with quite a few challenges in the past”, says Göbel about the BDI award. "Our next step will be to improve userfriendliness; we are working on an integrated solution that will not require the end user to be an analysis expert. Instead, he will be presented with the results in a format that is easy to understand." Moreover, the researchers aim to further miniaturize the instrument so that it can be installed in portable hand-held equipment similar to metal detectors at airports. Göbel expects that the artificial nose will be ready for the markets in three years.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the German Armed Forces, the Defence Industry Committee (AVW) within the Federation of German Industries e.V. (BDI) will award the “Defence Industry Technology Prize”.

The intention of awarding the “Defence Industry Technology Prize” is to highlight the importance to the defence industry and/or security policy of innovations and creative technological suggestions that have been developed by students, young scientists, research institutions and employees in the company. The award is a recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of homeland and/or foreign security for the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Defence Industry Technology Prize is being awarded with prize money in the value of € 10,000. The award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, 8 November 2005 in the “Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft” in Berlin.

EADS Defence & Security Systems, with revenues of about € 5,4 billion in 2004 and roughly 23,000 employees across ten nations, forms the defence and security pillar within EADS. It offers integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of military aircraft, missile systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), battlefield management systems, defence electronics, sensors and avionics, and related services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000.

The EADS Corporate Research Centre Germany works for the EADS Business Units in central technology fields in aerospace and defence technology. In conjunction with external research institutions, universities and the EADS Business Units, here the basis is laid for innovative products and processes. Over 220 permanent employees work in the Corporate Research Centre Germany. In addition, approximately 100 postgraduates, students and interns work there.

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