Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
October 3, 2012
Detecting Explosive Compounds Adhering to Portable Devices and IC Cards
Tokyo, October 3, 2012 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, "Hitachi"), in collaboration with The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6741) and the University of Yamanashi, have successfully prototyped a boarding gate with built-in explosives detection equipment as part of efforts to increase safety in public facilities such as airports. The prototype boarding gate efficiently collects minute particles which have affixed themselves to IC cards or portable devices used as boarding passes, and can detect within 1-2 seconds the presence of explosive compounds using internalized equipment. With this method, it is possible to inspect 1,200 passengers per hour. The technology is expected to contribute to the prevention and containment of carry-on explosives as it inspects immediately prior to boarding without disrupting the flow of passengers, and provides increased security without affecting convenience. This research and development was supported by the Strategic Funds for the Promotion of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT).
In recent years, to ensure safety and security in transport services, there is a need increase security to discourage and prevent the carrying-on of explosives into to transports such as airplanes. For example, flight safety would be significantly increased if it were possible to inspect passengers for explosives at the boarding gate, the last point of inspection before boarding the flight; however, as several hundreds of passengers need to pass through the gate at once, the time taken by conventional metal detectors and X-ray inspections was an issue.
The prototype boarding gate developed through collaboration between Hitachi, Nippon Signal and the University of Yamanashi, employs mass spectrometry technology which can detect the presence or absence of explosive compounds within 1-2 seconds. As a result, it is now possible to simultaneously check the boarding passes contained in IC cards or portable devices while inspecting all passengers for explosive compounds without affecting the flow of passengers passing through the gate.
As this equipment can be adapted to entrance security equipment for train stations, stadiums, event halls, etc. in the future, it is expected to contribute as platform technology to achieving the safety and security of public spaces.
Features of the prototype boarding gate with built-in explosives detection equipment are as described below.
The prototype equipment developed will be on display at the Special Equipment Exhibition & Conference for Anti-Terrorism (SEECAT' 12) which will be held from 17th – 19th October 2012 at the Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan while conducting a continuous operation pilot test. Further pilot tests at public transport facilities are also planned in the next financial year.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2011 (ended March 31, 2012) consolidated revenues totaled 9,665 billion yen ($117.8 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, industrial, transportation and urban development systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.