A dangerous side to RFID?

Free Independent Expert Advice about Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

This interesting question just in. How would you would have answered it (before reading the answer below).

Q. Would it be possible to place a RFID tag inside a pressurized gas cylinder (LPG Gas) and be able to read it when the truck carrying the cylinders is slowly passing an exit gate. The purpose would be to count the number of cylinders on the truck and possibly track each individual cylinder. If you think this is possible, could you suggest a make of tag. Regards, Mike. (see Bob's answer below)

SoftMatch Conference Advisory Board Member and RFID expert, Bob Matson, is offering to answer (Q&A) any technical or non-technical questions that you would like to ask by email about RFID, without any charge or obligation. Bob is a veteran RFID Engineer and a holder of a string of U.S. patents. He's also very good at explaining complex ideas in an understandable way. He has worked with many customers including US State governments, US military departments and commercial organizations in North America and most European countries.

This service is being provided for a limited time only so please send in your questions right away. Questions should be sent to questions@softmatch.com Each questioner will receive a direct personal email response. Then the questions and answers will be posted on www.SoftMatch.com to help educate everyone who values independent commentary on RFID. Please visit the web site to browse the RFID Q&A. For your convenience, here is Bob's answer:

Mike: A gas cylinder is a completely enclosed metal object and forms a perfect RF shield. You cannot get a signal into or out of it. Your application will not work. Also, do you really want an electrically operated object inside an explosive container? I would not place a tag anywhere near a gas container. bob

Bob Matson is just one of the independent speakers at the RFID Solutions conference - in Toronto, 4-5 October, 2006. RFID Solutions, The Premier RFID Conference for Decision Makers, is organized by independent conference producers SoftMatch.com, based in Toronto, Canada. SoftMatch.com does not sell any conflict of interest products or services.