A 32000 dollar pocket-sized chemicals detector

The Massachusetts-based Thermo Scientific has just launched its RMX, a portable device that, with a weight just over 900 grams, can save lives and limit the damage connected to a terrorist attack carried out with chemical weapons.

In fact, First Defender RMX, as it is called, is a substance detector, which can indicate the presence, in the air around him, not only of harmful chemicals, such as nerve gas, anthrax and other substances generally associated with terrorist threats, but also explosives and narcotics.

Equipped with a flexible tube hose connected to a sort of handheld computer, First Defender works by pointing the end of the tube (with its sensors) on the object to be analyzed. No need to destroy or alter the sample, First Defender will determine in a few seconds if the material is hazardous.

Designed for use by armed forces, security services, military personnel or for forensic investigations, First Defender displays the results of its work directly on its screen, and with its intuitive interface it is very easy to use, so the person who runs it will not need any particular training.

Operating at temperatures between minus 20 degrees to 40 above zero, it can then be used in a wide variety of environments (even though in the Iraqi desert in summer, 40 degrees means that you are having a cool day). According to its manufacturer, First Defender is also suitable for use by private citizens, even though it is not clear how useful it can really be. Moreover, we are talking about individuals with large financial resources, since the cost of $ 32,000 does not make it exactly affordable for all budgets.