However as he moved about the room trying to test it, the detector would mysteriously work, and then stop again.

The detector worked fine, even a million years back.

Infrared detectors worked by sensing the heat difference between an object and its surroundings.

But these detectors only work at very close range.

Or the detectors weren't working because the fungus had gotten to them.

I know exactly how and why such a detector works.

The detectors do not work on sharp curves, or when backing up.

If the object is about 100 lbs, I think a commercial detector with good sensitivity will work.

Ms. Ramble said the detector worked well in measuring what she felt strongly about.

It will take some time, the physicists say, for them to understand how their detectors work and what they are telling them.