John Johnson,
Vice President
By John Johnson, Vice President, 908 Devices
In the fight against illicit drugs, hazardous materials, and dangerous contraband, customs and border officers face a sobering reality: every unknown substance could be a threat, or a false alarm. The tools they rely on must deliver answers that are fast, accurate, and trustworthy.
For years, handheld spectroscopy devices have promised to deliver those answers using either Raman or FTIR technologies. Increasingly, manufacturers have packaged both into the same device, promoting “dual-tech” systems as a solution for complex chemical ID. But here’s the catch: most of those systems simply run the two technologies side-by-side. They don’t actually work together.
At 908 Devices, we saw an opportunity, and a responsibility, to change that.
Not Just Coexisting, Cross-Examining
Smart Spectral Processing (SSP), our proprietary algorithm, brings Raman and FTIR into active dialogue. Think of it like a courtroom: FTIR plays defense, Raman the prosecution. The sample is on the stand, and both sides interrogate the evidence to uncover the truth.
This isn’t passive data collection. It’s dynamic cross-examination. Each technology challenges, refines, or confirms the other’s results, resulting in more accurate identification and fewer false positives.
- Raman to FTIR: “You’re seeing carbonyl absorption, can you explain the aromatic signals I’m detecting?”
- FTIR to Raman: “You didn’t detect nitrates, but I did. Can you confirm or contest that finding?”
By applying data science to this exchange, SSP transforms two independent technologies into a single, smarter system, one that doesn’t just produce results, but demands answers from them.
Orthogonal by Design
Many agencies have asked for “orthogonal” analysis, even if they didn’t use the word. Orthogonality means using independent methods to interrogate the same evidence, reducing the risk of systemic bias or blind spots. It’s a proven scientific principle, but one that’s rarely achieved in field-ready tools.
With VipIR, we built SSP around orthogonality from the ground up. The device collects FTIR and Raman data from the exact same spot on the sample, in a precise sequence. If the FTIR scan flags explosive residues, the system halts the workflow. If it clears, the Raman laser fires through the diamond ATR to acquire its data. The result? A fully integrated, safety-conscious process that sets the stage for SSP to do its work.
When Seconds and Certainty Really Matter
In the chaos of a rail accident, a border inspection, or a drug interdiction sting, responders don’t have time to interpret conflicting readouts or flip through user manuals. With a single push of the SmartID button, VipIR activates the SSP algorithm and delivers a fully cross-examined result in seconds. No switching. No second-guessing. This is more than analysis, it’s field-grade intelligence.
The Future: Science That Justifies Itself
We believe the future of chemical detection is not just about more data—it’s about accountable data. SSP doesn’t leave answers unchallenged. It treats each result as a claim that must be questioned, scrutinized, and verified.
Because in high-stakes environments—where lives, reputations, and mission outcomes are on the line—your technology shouldn’t whisper. It should cross-examine.