no chance of a coverup

Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., have developed a system for reading hidden identification codes using a handheld magnetic scanner. A team led by Fred Schramm of the Marshall Center's Technology Transfer Department, in partnership with PRI of Torrance, Calif., has developed a handheld device that can read a special type of coded symbol—even if it's covered by up to six layers of paint. Developers believe commercial use of the scanner could help businesses improve inventory management, enhance safety, improve security and aid in product recall efforts.

Through a license with NASA, another partner, Robotic Vision Systems Inc. of Nashua, N.H., will sell the scanner on the commercial market. NASA continues to seek additional companies to license the product. Companies interested in learning more about the scanner may visit the agency's Web site at http://nasasolutions.com/news.html.