Buried landmines are difficult to find, especially if they contain no metal parts. Now researchers at the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany say a technique for looking inside the human body could help (Journal of Physics D, vol 35, p 939). In nuclear magnetic resonance, molecules placed in a powerful magnetic field emit a characteristic pattern of radio waves. With the operator at a safe distance, an NMR-based landmine detector could determine the substance鈥檚 chemical make-up and its position in the ground from the pattern of waves. The team says the technique could be particularly useful for identifying TNT, which is used in roughly half of all mines but is difficult to spot with other methods.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Mind
THC in cannabis may reduce nightmares in people with PTSD
News
Environment
Fishers detonate a bomb every hour on one Indonesian coral reef
News
Environment
How bad is the UK drought and how long will it continue?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles