DHS recognizes innovators

The awardees recognized today are: 

Dry Transfer Method for the Preparation of Explosives Test Samples
U.S. Patent Number: 6,470,730 – issued 29 October 2002
Robert T. Chamberlain (Transportation Security Laboratory)

Improves the quality of test samples by duplicating the way minute quantities of substances are placed on and released from surfaces like luggage handles, packages, or clothing for testing. Thus, drug and explosives detector manufacturers have a quick and easy method that reliably indicates how machines will operate in real-world situations.

Method and Apparatus for Obtaining Spatial Information and Measuring the Dielectric Constant of an ObjectU.S. Patent Number: 7,378,849 – issued 27 May 2008
James C. Weatherall and Joseph A. Gatto (Transportation Security Laboratory)

Determines information about an unknown object or confirms information about an object, such as its composition, construction, or spatial characteristics. It is useful in detecting dangerous or potentially dangerous objects, such as weapons or explosives, at places where screening is a priority, such as airports and public buildings.

Very Thin Dosimeter Filters and Low Profile Dosimeter Incorporating the Same
U.S. Patent Number: 7,781,747 – issued 24 August 2010
Gladys Klemic, Paul Bailey, and Cecilia Murtagh (National Urban Security Transportation Laboratory)

A wearable “card-like” dosimeter featuring two combined equilibrium and energy compensation filters that sandwich an optically stimulated luminescent material. Useful for workers and citizens in the event of radiation exposure, the device measures and records the amount of radiation and can connect to a central database or be sent to a processing center for readout.

Adenoviral Vector-based Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine
U.S. Patent Number:  8,323,663 – issued 4 December 2012
Douglas E. Brough, Joseph T. Bruder, C. Richter King, Marvin J. Grubman, and John G. Neilan (Plum Island Animal Disease Center)

Elicits a more rapid and complete immune response against foot-and-mouth disease and prevents the adenovirus from replicating by deleting whole or partial genes needed for viral replication. This vaccine can be used as a tool to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease.

Ion Mobility Spectrometer to Mass Spectrometer Interface
U.S. Patent Number: 8,536,518 – issued 17 September 2013
Joseph Kozole (Transportation Security Laboratory)

Uses collisional focusing to transfer ion beams of trace explosives between the mass spectrometer and the ion mobility spectrometer without distorting the beams. Explosive trace detector manufacturers can use this method and apparatus to fine-tune system performance by focusing on the precise chemical signatures unique to each kind of explosive.

Inert and Non-toxic Explosive Simulants and Method of Production
U.S. Patent Number: 8,563,316 – issued 22 October 2013
Ronald A. Krauss, Stephen F. Duffy, and Stephen J. Goettler III (Transportation Security Laboratory)

Imitates characteristics of known explosives at the microscopic and macroscopic levels. Developers and manufacturers can use this method to safely verify the detection capabilities of X-ray-based explosives detection systems and to ensure proper calibration of screening systems, such as those used to screen airline passenger luggage.

High-volume Sampling Front-end Collection Device
U.S. Patent Number: 8,578,796 – issued 12 November 2013
Inho Cho (Transportation Security Laboratory)

A portable, pocket-sized front-end device that can brush off particles from a surface or collect a large volume of air, as in a cargo container, capturing threat particles with a specialized system of filters. The hand-held nature of this device allows users to quickly collect samples, and the device can attach to analytical screening systems to identify threat particles.

Quick Release Flare Tube Adapter
U.S. Patent Number: 8,770,083 – issued 8 July 2014
Charles A. Hatfield, Thomas Morrow, Alexander Brown, Trent Meyers, and Katie Spira (U.S. Coast Guard Academy)

An illumination flare mounting arrangement for use in an aircraft. Flares are essential in nighttime, over-water search and rescue; reconnaissance; and law enforcement missions when visibility is vital. Police, military, and para-military organization aircrews can quickly install or remove this adapter on a variety of aircraft without tools or special equipment.

Method and Device for Detecting Moving Radiation Sources
U.S. Patent Number: 8,916,832 – issued 23 December 2014
Thomas E. Albert (Domestic Nuclear Detection Office)

Detects radioactive sources that are in motion and facilitates the rapid and accurate identification of the source of radioactive material. This invention is intended for use at seaports and border crossings that screen cargo containers, vehicles, or pedestrians for radiological or nuclear materials and in mobile radiation detectors deployed in search operations.

Buoy Split Key Removal Device
U.S. Patent Number: 8,914,962 – issued 23 December 2014
Jessica Rozzi-Ochs, Bret Jacobson, Khiem Nagy, Erin Nolan, Evan Rice, and Sarah Troch (U.S. Coast Guard Academy)

Utilizing a power screw that applies steady and controllable compression to the split key, the device allows USCG buoy tender crewmembers to quickly remove split keys in a safe and efficient manner. The split key is a butterflied key that holds a pin in place, connecting a chain between the buoy and a concrete block on the floor of a body of water.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Scanning of Metal Containers Using Medium-field Technology
U.S. Patent Number: 8,912,795 – issued 16 December 2014
Joseph S. Broz and Stephen W. Surko (Contract Laboratory)

Scans metal containers and discriminates benign liquids, such as lotions, drinks, and pharmaceutical liquids, from threat liquids, such as components of homemade explosives. These advances in scanning will help the civil aviation industry, as well as other mass transportation agencies, detect liquid explosive threats.

Method for Identifying Materials Using Dielectric Properties through Active Millimeter Wave Illumination
U.S. Patent Number: 8,946,641 – issued 3 February 2015
Barry T. Smith, James C. Weatherall, and Jeffrey B. Barber (Transportation Security Laboratory)

Helps detect concealed explosives, narcotics, weapons, and other contraband based on the reflected radiation returned from the body of an inspected subject. This screening method is noninvasive and does not require contact as the millimeter waves can penetrate clothing and distinguish benign materials from contraband.