In an interconnected and ever-changing world, borders face increasingly complex challenges. Border security officials must not only deal with increasing international trade, but also with a growing diversity of threats. These range from illicit trafficking and the handling of dangerous chemicals to pathogens capable of generating global health crises. In addition, traditional risks such as explosives and weapons are being added, which requires innovative solutions to respond effectively.
In this context, technology emerges as a crucial ally. During the recent World Customs Organization (WCO) Conference held in Brazil, Oshiorenoya Eghierua Agabi (Osh), Nigerian-American scientist and founder of Koniku, has presented a breakthrough to help border security. His pioneering synthetic biotechnology company based in California has developed a device that combines living cells and silicon to detect odors on a planetary scale, with applications that promise to revolutionize border security.
Moving towards a contactless security future
Osh Agabi commented to Customs News "The technology developed has the ability to detect multiple compounds simultaneously using a device so compact that it can be perfectly integrated with the surrounding infrastructure." He also explained: "This technology is capable of identifying odors of drugs, explosives, hazardous chemicals, contraband, and airborne chemical and biological threats, “without requiring physical contact,” he added, “multiple interconnected devices can be deployed within a scanning area, forming a network of scent processors, giving control of the initiative back to customs or security agents.”
The company claims that the new device significantly improves detection compared to traditional methods. According to the director of Koniku, “this technology differs from conventional approaches, which generally rely on physical contact, spectroscopy and similar techniques.” He also highlighted its extraordinary sensitivity, stressing that “it is an innovation that fuses synthetic biology and artificial intelligence to detect explosives in the air, even at concentrations of parts per billion, at a distance of up to one meter from the source.” Its capacity is so advanced that it can identify fentanyl in concentrations as low as 0,017 nanograms per milliliter, which is equivalent to the amount of two grains of rice dissolved in an Olympic swimming pool, all in less than 10 seconds.
This innovative system from Koniku, which integrates living cells, offers a wide range of practical and economic benefits for users such as customs and security agencies. In Agabi’s words: “This technology has a significantly lower cost compared to traditional devices of its kind. In addition, it allows agencies to make accurate predictions by intelligently leveraging available data.”
This breakthrough is already being successfully used in airports, the food and beverage industry, and in the field of chemical security. Koniku’s solution undoubtedly supports customs’ efforts to ensure secure supply chains, marking an important milestone in the modernization of border control systems.
Learn more about Koniku. Download the PDF of the first corporation of its kind in the world or write to this email for more information: [email protected]
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
