Swedish researchers working to curb manufacture of home-made bombs

Swedish researchers have been working to make it more difficult to make bombs from substances available to buy over the counter, local media reported Thursday.

As heads of governments from across the European Union (EU) gathered on Thursday to discuss tougher measures to fight terrorism, Swedish daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter reported on the less high-profile work being undertaken in a remote area of Sweden.

"It's about how we can prevent someone from making bombs from things that can be bought in regular stores," said Henric Ostmark, research director at the Swedish Defence Research Agency.

The research team has previously focused on the bleaching agent hydrogen peroxide, used in London subway bombings, but has now broadened its scope to include other substances.

In a parallel move, Swedish law recently made it illegal for private individuals to be in ownership of certain substances, while others require permits.

Swedish researchers are also working to develop new methods to discover illegal bomb-making. One example is sensors that can be placed in an environment where they can register suspicious particles in the air. Endit