Triangle-Based Company Quadridox Set to Revolutionize Airport Security Technology
Hillsborough, NC – June 27, 2025 — A promising new technology developed by Quadridox, a Duke University spinout based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, is poised to transform airport security screening. The innovative X-ray scanning system aims to make baggage checks faster, safer, and more efficient, potentially allowing travelers to bring more items such as water bottles through security checkpoints.
Advancing Airport Security with Cutting-Edge X-Ray Scanners
Quadridox operates out of a repurposed textile mill in Hillsborough and is led by Founder, President, and CEO Joel Greenberg. The company’s pioneering technology was born from a Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology-funded program that explored how advanced X-ray components could enhance explosives detection in aviation security.
"There are two kinds of X-ray scanners," Greenberg explained. "For checked baggage, we’ve been developing a new kind of system that will allow you to bring more items onto airplanes and enable TSA agents to better evaluate the contents of each bag."
Addressing Aging Technology and Emerging Threats
Current X-ray scanning systems used for checked baggage have been in service for nearly two decades. Greenberg emphasized the urgent need for modernization, as outdated technology struggles to keep up with evolving aviation threats.
"The scanners currently used for checked baggage have been around for almost 20 years," Greenberg noted. "That technology is aging out. Our new scanners allow us to better evaluate bags and their contents so that TSA agents can make the best decisions as quickly as possible."
The advanced scanning system promises to reduce the number of bags that need to be opened for manual inspection, resulting in cost savings and improved travel efficiency.
Potential to Change TSA Rules on Liquids and Beyond
Looking ahead, Greenberg envisions deployment of Quadridox’s scanners at TSA checkpoint lines, which could dramatically alter security protocols — including rules regarding liquids brought onto planes.
"Our technology could eventually be used to change what travelers are allowed to bring through security checkpoints," he said, raising the possibility that items like water bottles could become permissible.
Expanding Impact Beyond Travel Security
Quadridox’s innovation extends beyond the aviation sector. The company is also applying its X-ray technology to the medical field, developing new tools to aid cancer detection. This includes tissue analysis applications and portable devices designed to help pathologists more effectively evaluate cancer biopsies.
Looking Forward: Airport Testing and Broad Rollout
Quadridox plans to begin testing its new scanners at airports starting next year, with a broader rollout anticipated in 2027. This cutting-edge technology could mark a significant shift in how travelers experience airport security, delivering enhanced safety while streamlining the checkpoint process.
For more updates on airport security technology and other innovations from the Triangle, stay tuned to WRAL TechWire.
Related Topics
- Duke University innovation
- Airport security advancements
- TSA checkpoint technology
- Hillsborough tech startups
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