Research

Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST)
Instead of taking the rats to the minefield, Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST) brings the scent from the mines to the rats. REST is a research project in partnership with the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) looking at the feasibility of a technique called “land release.”

Demining organizations spend most of their effort searching for mines where there are actually none, since roughly 90% of suspected areas contain no mines. Land release is the process of surveying a large piece of land, systematically evaluating that land, and focusing on the highly suspicious areas and releasing the areas where there is sufficient reason to be confident they are not dangerous.

The REST technology is still in the research phase and has not yet qualified for accreditation according to International Mine Action Standards. In essence the technology works via a sampling team, walking in the safe lanes created by demining vehicles, taking samples at regular intervals along a stretch of road, through a pump they wear on their back. The backpack pump draws the air and dust from above the road surface through a filter, which is designed to collect the explosives emanating from the mines and UXO.

Trained rats can then systematically evaluate these filters in a laboratory setting, and will indicate the occurrence of explosive traces on the filters. A positive indication results in a highly suspected road stretch, which is earmarked by the demining company for thorough follow-up.

Every day, about 30 rats evaluate soil samples spiked with low concentrations of TNT. If the research proves successful and is combined with other technologies, REST could help to determine which areas are free of explosives, subsequently opening up major parts of the suspected minefields. With a constant push for the industry to make the dollar go further in the most effective manner, land release could help to reduce minefields to their actual boundaries. REST could also facilitate fast opening of roads in post-war countries for the delivery of emergency relief.

In the meantime, the research results feed our landmine detection in the field. With the research on which conditions work best for REST, we also learn about perimeters like what soil types, moisture content, etc our rats work best in.