Current detection tools using nanotechnology allow high-speed molecular detection of pathogens through analysis of their DNA in a matter of a few minutes where classical detection tools using regular PCR (polymerase chain reaction) would take over six hours.

FORBES: Nanotech Takes On Homeland Terror

In a paper in the Journal of Immunological Methods, Wendy Dittmer of Philips claims to have achieved a 100, 000-fold increase in detection speed by hurrying magnetically tagged molecules of parathyroid hormone towards the spin valve with an electromagnet instead of allowing them to diffuse there.

ECONOMIST: Labs on a chip

For the sake of cheaply and quickly getting the cash register ringing, the first speed-detection equipment will be attached to existing red-light cameras.

WSJ: Jenkins: The Answer Is a Longer Yellow