# MRead tests portable detector that identifies RDX explosives directly

_Published Monday, October 12, 2026 at 3:37 PM EDT · Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![The MineReader RDX — Primary](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/68ad4c0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3150+0+113/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2Fb2%2Fb1%2Fd2bfe0c54420860ae9c2054cda58%2Fdsc02372.jpg&na.image_optimisation=0)

MRead's MineReader RDX has been tested in Brisbane, Australia, using magnetic resonance to identify explosives directly rather than detect a mine's metal components, New Atlas reports. The developers say it can detect 50 g of RDX at depths of up to 13 cm, including in wet, highly mineralized ground containing metal debris and organic residue.

Based on CSIRO research, the detector applies radio-frequency pulses and analyzes the distinctive response of nitrogen atoms in crystalline RDX. The system is as portable as a conventional detector rig. It currently detects RDX; detection of TNT and integration with unmanned ground systems are development goals.

## Sources

- [New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News](https://newatlas.com/military/mine-detector-cuts-middleman-find-explosives/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/ToCvpi8TOTpbg_0DPM1xq3
Published: 2026-10-12T19:37:48.110Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-12T03:22:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-12T22:53:28.198Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)