RIJSWIJK, 26/11/05 - Dutch scientific institute TNO has developed a number of innovations for combating terrorism. There is increasing demand for products in this area, particularly from government authorities.

If a suspect package is found somewhere, this will no longer have to lead to a large-scale evacuation, thanks to the Episafe. This is a sort of basket that is put over the package. The material is so strong that it can withstand a possible explosion.

TNO has also developed equipment for looking through clothes to see whether people are wearing weapons or explosives on their person. As well, equipment has been developed for the Dutch defence ministry that can determine within one minute whether the air is polluted with biological substances such as anthrax. Currently being developed is a radar system that can look through walls.

Perhaps the most remarkable discovery is detective wasps. They are put on a sheet for a few seconds with a drop of sugar-water above a small opening. If there are explosives underneath, the wasps associate this smell with tasty food. After five or six repetitions, the wasps remember the smell of explosives for ever and go to look for them themselves. The wasps can memorise virtually any smell using this method, including drugs in luggage at airports.

TNO presented the anti-terrorism products this week. Some developments are still secret and will not be disclosed. A number of products are already on the market, including the Episafe.