Re: bomb detectors
rakko,
Why would a private citizen want to know how to make a bomb detector?
Exactly my concern. This also goes for stunguns, guns, and weapons in general. But there is much paranoia about such issues nowdays. To the point where chemistry and physics curriculum are changed, to exclude any information that could lead to knowledge of this type. And in lower-level education, teaching idea's that are actually incorrect!
There is general interest of course. I myself am very curious about how things work, regardless of their application. I know, and could probably build a fair few 'nasty' devices, but in these times, I think the paranoia has gone way to far.
In order for someone to 'commit' a terrible act, with knowledge of bombs, electrical weapons etc.. they must have a 'will' and a 'way'. For some reason, many governments (especially the US government) seem to assume that everyone wants to commit a crime, and therefore, must take away the 'way'. But anyone can find out how to build a bomb, few people have a reason/will to do it though. I think its about time people addressed these 'reasons' rather than the easy option. (Although, certain things don't need to be known to the public).
Thats the 'moral' issues out of the way....what about idea's for detecting explosive materials? If such a device is built, and can be exploited, then IMO its not a very good design. Nothing is water-tight, but it seems often engineers are pressured into coming up with something cheap, easy, and quick to market, forced to make comprimises along the way. Due to the consequences of a bomb-detector failing to 'detect', cost should not be an issue. I would still go with a wide-band EM emmiter, and detector array. Theoretically, it should be able to pick up certain chemical structures, and possibly a high concentration of oxygen. Possibly some sort of magnetic resonance scanning (not imaging). And of course, a sniffer-dog should always be used.
BuriedCode