Manchester signs counter-terrorism deal

The University of Manchester is to develop a host of new counter-terrorism technologies following the award of a multi-million pound research contract by the Home Office.

The funding will be used to fund three projects focusing on the detection, identification and decontamination of chemical, biological, radiological materials.

The project will form part of the Home Office's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear terrorism (CBRN) Resilience Programme, established in October 2001 with the task of ensuring that, in the event of a terrorist incident an effective response with minimal impact on lives, property and the environment is carried out.

The three projects, all separately funded, are led by members of the School of Chemistry with support from Chemical Engineering, Earth Science and Materials Science, all part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Each of the projects will last four years and will focus on the development of innovative new technologies.