Co-Leader of QUT's Applied Optics Program Dr Dmitri Gramotnev said his research had discovered special metallic structures called plasmonic waveguides that could focus light into nanoscale regions, unachievable in conventional optics. These structures may allow detection and identification of extremely small amounts of substances, even separate molecules in the air. "This type of system could revolutionise airport security, air quality monitoring and forensic investigation," he said.