Battelle, Sellex Receive ECAC Certification for Bottled Liquid Scanner
Battelle and Sellex say their LS10 liquid bottle scanner has received Type B liquid explosive detection systems certification from the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), allowing the companies to market and sell the desktop device in countries that subscribe to the ECAC regulations. Battelle and Sellex introduced the LS10 in May (HSR, June 4). The system is based on radio frequency and ultrasonic technology and provides a go or no-go result within 10 seconds although the companies say an experienced operator can obtain a result in closer to 5 seconds. The companies say that the LS10 is also a candidate for the bottled liquid scanner certification with the Transportation Security Administration.
UTC to Provide Micro SUAS for First Responders
United Technologies Corp. [UTC] has received a contract from Sinclair Community College to provide its micro small unmanned aerial system (SUAS) for use in the school’s training program for first responders. UTC Aerospace Systems will supply a complete system, which includes two air vehicles, a tablet-style ground station, electro-optical payload and data link. Sinclair, which is based in Dayton, Ohio, already has a Certificate of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly UAS in restricted airspace at the nearby Springfield Beckley Airport. The Micro SUAS fits into the truck of a police car and can be operational as soon as a need is identified. The system will be delivered later this year and marks the first time tat UTC Aerospace will service in a prime contractor role to provide a complete micro SUAS.
Smiths Detection to Offer Mirion’s Rad Detection Products
Smiths Detection says it is expanding its offering of radiation detection products by partnering with California-based Mirion Technologies include the latter company’s suite of products in its portfolio. “This exciting partnership will ensure our customers can access the full range of radiation technologies available in the marketplace today,” says Lance Roncalli, vice president of Sales in the Americas for Smiths Detection. “Such developments support all our customers as they develop a comprehensive and layered security approach to protect critical infrastructure and secure the free flow of trade.” Smiths already provides to customers its RadSeeker handheld radiation detector and identifier. With Mirion, it will be able to offer a low cost dosimeter, the DMC-3000, a pocket-sized detector, the RDS-31, and a search and radionuclide identifier, the PDS 100 G/GN ID.
DHS S&T, MBTA to Test Rapid Bio-Response Sensors
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate working with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will test a system of newly developed biological detection sensors from different contractors beginning this week at three MBTA stations in the Boston area. The sensors can rapidly detect and identify—in 20 minutes—a broad spectrum of biological material, and have been installed in three stations. Sensors are being provided by four companies, including FLIR Corp. [FLIR], Menon & Associates, Northrop Grumman [NOC], and the North American division of Britain’s QinetiQ. Tests will begin this week and involve a harmless killed, non-toxic, inert bacterium that is non-infectious and is approved as a food supplement. The year-long tests will be performed when the stations are closed to the public. “This detection system will be one of the first such systems installed in the country, and, if it proves to be effective, could serve as a model for other mass transportation venues throughout the nation and the world,” says Paul MacMillan, MBTA Transit Police Chief. The tests are being coordinated with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Cambridge Public Health Department, and the Somerville Health Department, with support from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
CMU Lab Developing Stand-off Iris Capture Sensor
Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab Biometrics Center has developed a stand-off iris capture sensor with enrollment quality images that it plans to test with the Army after further development. The system, which works from between six to 11 meters away from a subject, has a large depth of field so that a subject doesn’t have to stand on an exact spot every time in order to capture their iris images for enrollment and matching, Marios Savvides, director of the center, tells HSR. That makes operations much easier, he says. CMU researchers completed the development prototype in Oct. 2011 after 18 months of work under a Defense Department contract and are now six months into ruggedizing the system and increasing its technical maturity for the field testing. The current phase of the effort is expected to be completed by Oct. 2013. All told DoD has funded the CyLab with $1.5 million for the ongoing effort. Savvides says that currently the iris capture and matching takes about seven to eight seconds but the goal is to get this down to two or three seconds or faster. Longer term Savvides says he would like the sensor to be able to capture irises out to 50 meters and to be able to work with uncooperative subjects.
Implant’s Benchtop Explosives Detector Completes Round of TSL Testing
Implant Sciences [IMSC] says its QS-B220 benchtop explosives and narcotics trace detector has successfully completed the certification readiness testing with the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) managed by the Department of Homeland Security. The company says that that BS220 is currently undergoing the final independent validation testing for TSA qualification for air cargo screening. “This is a major milestone for the company,” says Glenn Bolduc, Implant’s president and CEO. “Entering into this final phase of approval gives us great confidence that our desktop B220 explosives trace detection system will be well positioned for adoption in the U.S. and global markets.” Bolduc expects to know by the end of September if the system passes the final test phase. If so, “This will put us in good position to capitalize on the Dec. 3, 2012 date for the air cargo industry to comply with the mandates of air cargo screening regulations,” he says.