OSU prof comes up with safe way to 'diffuse' explosives

Two OSU chemistry professors have developed what "may" turn-out to be a solution to diffusing terrorism. <br><br>They don't have military backgrounds, but a year and a half of research and experimenting

Thursday, January 15th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Two OSU chemistry professors have developed what "may" turn-out to be a solution to diffusing terrorism.

They don't have military backgrounds, but a year and a half of research and experimenting is paying off. The professors have come up with a substance that is tailored to diffuse bombs like the one used in the Oklahoma City bombing.

It could also detect more compact explosives which could be smuggled onto planes. Allen Apblett, OSU Professor: "The potential is tremendous, because all explosives have similar formations. All explosives have 2 basic formulas and we invented one that's the same kind the shoebox bomber it's the favorite explosive of suicide bombers."

Once the substance receives final approval, it could be in the hands of emergency responders this fall.