Researchers at Purdue University and the state of Indiana are teaming on a cell phone-based system that could sniff out and track nuclear terrorism attacks before they happen.

The system would be based on including radiation sensors in cell phones across the U.S. and rely on the devices’ built-in GPS systems for tracking dirty bombs. Radiation sensors are already commercial available, and would need some additional circuitry that researchers say would not bulk up wireless devices in any significant way.

"It's the ubiquitous nature of cell phones and other portable electronic devices that give this system its power," said physics professor Ephraim Fischbach in a statement. "It's meant to be small, cheap and eventually built into laptops, personal digital assistants and cell phones."

Andrew Longman, a consulting instrumentation scientist, developed the system and has worked with Purdue researchers to further it.

A test in November showed the system could detect weak radiation from sources as close as 15 feet away. Other known sources of radiation, including hospitals and bananas, could be ignored by the system.

More info here from Purdue. 

Meanwhile, the National Research Council, in a report requested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has identified research that should be done regarding long-term exposure to low levels of exposure to radiofrequency energy spewed by wireless devices.