In preparation for the first phase of the lifting of liquids restrictions for EU airline passengers in January 2014, the International Airport of Vienna has ordered 33 EMILI 2 liquid scanners for its security checkpoints.
Jointly developed by EMISENS and Globes Elektronik in Germany and Link Microtek in the UK, the EMILI 2 unit is believed to be the fastest liquid scanner of its type currently available. It can identify the contents of an unopened bottle in less than a second, and this speed of operation was a crucial factor in the airport’s decision following a competitive tendering process.
The scanners will be deployed in an alarm-resolution role alongside the airport’s belt-driven X-ray security machines. EMILI 2 works with plastic, glass and ceramic bottles – clear or opaque – and is extremely easy to operate. There are no doors to open and close, no buttons to push and no adjustments to make. The unopened bottle is simply placed on the scanner, and the screen immediately indicates whether the contents are harmless or a threat such as liquid explosives or their precursors.
During independent laboratory testing, the scanner achieved ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference) Performance Standard 2, which is the industry benchmark for liquid explosive detection systems.
Steve Cranstone, managing director of EMISENS, said: “Equipment for airport security checkpoints not only has to be effective but also has to achieve high throughput in order to minimise the impact on passengers. The EMILI 2 scanner offers both of these attributes, and we are pleased that this has been recognised by the International Airport of Vienna.”
EMILI 2 employs patented multimode microwave near-field sensor technology, which distinguishes different liquids according to their dielectric permittivity, molecular relaxation and ionic conductivity. As no X-rays, high-power lasers or high voltages are involved, the scanner has none of the health-and-safety concerns associated with other types of equipment.
For further information, visit www.emisens.com.
