DetectionTSA awards SpectraFluidics $1.3 million to validate detection technology

Published 3 January 2012

TSA has awarded a contract to SpectraFluidics, the detection technology of which leverages two physical principles combined into a single system: free-surface microfluidics and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)

Santa Barbara, California-based SpectraFluidics, a specialist in developing trace vapor chemical detection and analysis technology, was recently awarded a $1.3 million contract from DHS Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The contract calls for the company to develop and validate a vapor detection system that can quickly and efficiently detects homemade explosives and can be used as an orthogonal detection system  with imaging equipment.

We are very pleased to be awarded our third government contract in less than 18 months for the development and application of our platform technology to deliver advanced trace screening capabilities to homeland security,” said CEO of Spectrafluidics, Phil Strong.

Spectrafluidics says its patented technology leverages two physical principles combined into a single system: free-surface microfluidics and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The technology would be an improvement on current methods of detecting trace levels of chemicals, including explosives and other contraband, because of its ability to achieve high sensitivity and specificity of vapor chemistries in a small footprint device.

This award will provide a great opportunity to leverage and adapt our core detection technologies to serve the specific needs of TSA,” added Dr. Brian Piorek, chief scientist of SpectraFluidics.