IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

NanoSniffer

10th April, 2021 Security and Defence

GS PAPER III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Context: Union Education Minister launched NanoSniffer, the world’s first Microsensor based Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) developed by NanoSniff Technologies, an IIT Bombay incubated startup.

  • NanoSniffer is a 100% Made in India product in terms of research, development & manufacturing.
  • The core technology of NanoSniffer is protected by patents in the U.S. & Europe.
  • This affordable device will reduce dependency on imported explosive trace detector devices.
  • It will also encourage other institutions, startups and medium-scale industries to research & develop products indigenously. It’s a perfect example of lab to market product.
  • It can detect explosives in less than 10 seconds and it also identifies and categorizes explosives into different classes.
  • It detects all classes of military, conventional and homemade explosives.
  • NanoSniffer gives visible & audible alerts with sunlight-readable color display.
  • NanoSniffer has successfully passed Pune based DRDO’s High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) testing and has also been tested by the country’s elite counter-terror force National Security Guard (NSG).

Need:

  • Given the constant threats, which our nation faces due to geo-political realities, explosives & contraband detection has become a norm at high security locations like airports, railways & Metro stations, hotels, malls, and other public places.
  • Almost all products for explosive detection are imported at a high cost leading to the loss of valuable foreign exchange by the country. NanoSniffer can substitute them.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1710645