A sampling of emerging counterterrorism technologies

Technology: Building Occupant Protection Guide

Developer: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

What it does: Explains how biological and chemical agents spread through buildings

Status: Draft guide completed and ready for production

***

Technology: Protect system

Developer: Argonne National Laboratory

What it does: Provides early warnings of chemical or biological attacks in subways, office buildings, airport terminals and other interior spaces

Status: Prototype system

***

Technology: Large-volume radiation detector using compressed xenon

Developer: Brookhaven National Laboratory

What it does: Detects nuclear materials; could potentially identify a nuclear threat in ships or other vehicles from a distance

Status: Ready for field-testing

***

Technology: Holographic imaging system for personal screening

Developer: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

What it does: Displays 3-D images of weapons concealed beneath individuals' clothing

Status: Developed for the Federal Aviation Administration; lab manager Battelle Memorial Institute is in final negotiations with three parties interested in commercializing the technology

***

Technology: Chemical and biological mass spectrometer

Developer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

What it does: Detects chemical and biological agents; slated for military use

Status: In the preproduction stage