Choice Reading #1

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-09/laser-mere-strength-laser-pointer-can-detect-ieds-distance Title: laser mere strength laser pointer can detect ieds distance In this article, the author, Clay Dillow, describes the ongoing work of an MSU professor named Marcos Dantus. The work being done by Marcos is described as the building of a "laser pointer" that can detect IEDs. This would be extremely useful in the military branches to save our soilders some 60% of deaths according to the Mr. Dillow. Unseen IEDs are bombs that can be mines or any explosives that lay in the field for defense. Though the author doesn't specifically say, one problem with IEDs is that after wars, IEDs are usually not retrieved by the defending forces, and therefore they lay and wait until someone runs over it and dies unnecessarily. It is highly possible that the researchers who are doing this work are trying to reduce these deaths by trying to find undetonated IEDs. The research being done pertains to a laser that can detect up to one billionth of a molecule released into the air from explosives. Marcos seems very sure according to Mr. Dillow, and thinks that his laser is unlike the many they have seen. Marcos claims that this will save lives, and detect explosives from a safe distance even if they are buried underground. Mr. Dillow is quite capable in grabing the readers attention and getting straight to the point. I'd assume he has much more information on this subject and from the interviews with Marcos he has gotten quite up to date on IEDs. The reader doesn't need all this information and this is a great example of a well written short article.