Sandia accused of stalling

, an Albuquerque company developing a sensor to detect when terrorists carry explosives, chemicals, nerve agents and other deadly toxins into public places, has filed a $225 million lawsuit in Federal Court in Santa Fe against

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Nanodetex alleges that Sandia is withholding important information needed to finish the product. To complete the product and get it into subway, train, and bus stations and airports in the next few months, Nanodetex needs the technology transfer agreed to by Sandia just after the September 11th terrorist attacks.

"Sandia must stop the bureaucratic madness and give us the technology they guaranteed we'd have long ago," said Nanodetex President Al Sylwester. "The London bombings show we need this technology now, we're bringing the lawsuit to get this product to market."

Nanodetex was founded by Sylwester and Angelo Salamone, two former Sandia employees who worked on developing the technology. Sandia issued Nanodetex an exclusive license to further develop and market the product under federal technology transfer laws. Four years after the agreement was made, Sandia allegedly continues to withhold critical information required for full commercialisation.

The product, often referred to as a "Lab on a Chip," is a fast and sensitive miniature sensor that detects chemicals, and certain biological and explosive materials in the air.

"If Sandia stops stalling and finally gives us the data, we'll have this product fully operational in a very short time, "said Sylwester. "It could be widely in use when the next terrorist act is attempted."

Demand for this product is said to have been strong from the US and other countries, including Britain, France, Italy, and Israel.