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SEOUL, July 26 (Korea Bizwire) — The state-run defense research agency said Tuesday it has developed technology capable of distinguishing whether Novichok, a deadly chemical weapon, has been used based on samples collected from a contaminated area.
The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) developed pre-processing technology for samples and an analysis method using a mass spectrometer to analyze various environmental samples (soil, water, concrete, etc.) from a contaminated area.
The technology is capable of detecting the new chemical agent that exists in minuscule quantities in the samples.
Both the pre-processing technology and the “minuscule marker” analysis were recognized as the world’s first of their kind, resulting in eight SCI-grade papers and two patent submissions.
The ADD also established a database to record the behavioral characteristics of the new chemical agent, which is crucial in setting the boundaries of the contaminated area and determining the areas that require decontamination.
The database contains information on how the chemical agent spreads through the air, considering factors such as wind speed, temperature, humidity, and other natural elements.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
