Airport security prize announced

Verified Identity Pass, of New York, US – a firm that already offers quicker checkpoint services at airports for a fee, has announced on 13 February that an award of $500,000 for any solution that will make airport security checks quicker and simpler for passengers. The cash prize will go to any individual, company or institution that can get customers through airport security 15% faster, at a cost of less than 25 cents per passenger, using technology or processes that will be approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Passengers must not need to remove their clothes or shoes, something that slows down processing significantly. Company spokesman Jason Slibeck said that over 150 individuals, start-ups, defence contractors and universities have shown an interest in the prize. One promising procedure is mass spectroscopy, which involves analysing the mass-charge ratio of ions on a swab sample taken from a passenger’s clothing or air collected from around them. The method can quickly spot traces of substances including explosives or drugs. The Pre-Registration Package Information Sheet is available online.”