Last week, advocates were busy on Capitol Hill promoting the benefits of nanotechnology, including its role in drug and explosive detection. So it's no surprise that Sense Holdings, a developer of biometric identification systems and nanotechnology-based micro-sensor technologies for government, military and commercial security, chose last week to announce two major initiatives.

Sense's subsidiary, MSTI, is developing a pipeline of advanced bomb detection technologies, including a prototype handheld explosive detection wand device for Homeland Security applications in airports and other security checkpoints. This hand-held detection alternative is designed to be a cost-effective solution with extremely high detection sensitivity and real-time operability.

"Our unique MEMS platform provides next-generation, highly adaptable and versatile technology for the sensing of a wide range of dangerous and illicit substances, all at substantially reduced costs," said Sense CEO Dore Perler.

The company's other subsidiary, Sense Technologies, deploys biometric technology based on advanced fingerprint technology and biometric integration to create a range of solutions for prisoner identification, time and attendance, access control applications and other markets.

Applications like these can improve detection and surveillance technology by making components smaller; and those conducting detection and surveillance usually want themselves and their equipment to be as invisible as possible. But when, with the help of nanotechnology, detection and surveillance devices become truly invisible, it raises privacy concerns. Many people are concerned that new technologies will make it too easy to collect and analyze everything from retinal scans to DNA samples.

What do you get when you combine the Patriot Act with nanotechnology?