InnovationDHS recognizes innovators

Published 18 June 2015

On Tuesday, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas recognized DHS employees and other individuals who have been awarded patents by the U.S. Patent Office for their technology advancements and inventions contributing to the homeland security mission. From transportation-related inventions that improve screening and detection capabilities at ports and borders, to inventions that assist the U.S. Coast Guard in air and sea rescue operations, to a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine that received the Secretary’s Exceptional Service Gold Medal in 2014, these inventions have helped to enhance the homeland security mission while adapting to current and evolving threats.

On Tuesday, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas recognized DHS employees and other individuals who have been awarded patents by the U.S. Patent Office for their technology advancements and inventions contributing to the homeland security mission. The event, hosted by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), recognized inventors from across DHS including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Coast Guard, and the Office of the General Counsel.

“At the heart of DHS’s innovation and success are our employees. It is my honor today to recognize these inventors for their efforts to advance the homeland security mission,” said Deputy Secretary Mayorkas. “Our inventors have shown commitment and dedication to the vision of protecting America by thinking outside the box, contributing their ideas and vision, and working in our labs and with our partners to create innovative and useful technologies. They have demonstrated that creativity and innovation are alive and well in our federal workforce.”

Deputy Secretary Mayorkas was joined by S&T Under Secretary Dr. Reginald Brothers, TSA Deputy Administrator Mark Hatfield and other department leadership, along with representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Energy, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in recognizing thirty-two inventors from across the department. S&T says that together, these individuals have invented the twelve patented technologies and devices that span several areas of the homeland security mission.

From transportation-related inventions that improve screening and detection capabilities at ports and borders, to inventions that assist the U.S. Coast Guard in air and sea rescue operations, to a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine that received the Secretary’s Exceptional Service Gold Medal in 2014, these inventions have helped to enhance the homeland security mission while adapting to current and evolving threats.

“The technologies developed by our employees that culminate in patent awards are vitally important for the Department in attracting scientific talent, and to our industry partners that commercialize these products and capabilities,” said DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology Dr. Reginald Brothers. “I am proud to have S&T serve as the Department’s hub for innovation in helping to make a difference in our ability to do our jobs smarter, faster and with greater accuracy.”