KENT is using science to combat terrorism.

Two organisations caught the attention of American officials when they showcased a toxic-substance detector and biometric technology at a security conference in Los Angeles.

The US-UK Homeland Security Symposium featured the pioneering work of the University of Kent and Crown Bio Systems, based at Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne.

The university’s department of electronics has developed facial recognition and other biometric technology, while Crown Bio is leading the way in toxic-attack detection.

They were among 19 UK organisations attending an event run by UK Trade & Investment and the British Consulate-General in Los Angeles.

Professor Mike Fairhurst, head of the department of electronics, spoke at the conference:

He said: "Biometrics is one of the most important and vibrant areas in the security sector.

"We look at all aspects of biometric processing – from establishing reliable and foolproof technology to analysing human behaviour when using a biometric system."

Crown Bio Systems develops toxicity biosensor tools for the rapid and low-cost screening of toxic materials in soil, water and food.

Biosensor products under development include a badge-like device to detect carcinogenic substances ranging from anthrax to e-coli, which could be used to improve biosecurity across the world.

In 2002, the firm was awarded a £1m EUREKA research and development grant for the first Portable Contaminated Soil Biosensor Instrument.

Working with the Natural Resources Institute/University of Greenwich in Chatham, it developed the Safe Soil Tester.

Company founder Ed Bell said that 9/11 and awareness of international terrorism had accelerated research into advanced microbiological technology for security and defence purposes.

He said: "UK companies like us are at the cutting edge of microbiology but we are a pure research-and-development firm.

"The potential homeland security applications of biosensor technology, particularly in North America, are huge and very exciting."