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iRobot and ICx team up for $16 million Army contract
Popular PackBot model will carry ICx’s Fido explosives detection system; deal shows iRobot’s popularity among the military; 100 combined systems will be produced, most likely for use in Iraq and Afghanistan
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RAE Systems introduces handheld radiation detectors
Cell phone-sized DoseRae suite provides a rugged alternative for both personal and professional use; units provide accurate dose readings with a resolution of less than 0.02 microSieverts; SAIC lends a hand
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Optosecurity nets $14 million in new funding
Known for its optical threat detection systems, the Canadian company finds new friends in the VC market; Innovatech Quebec continues to have faith in this homegrown company; company prepares for a big 2008
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Morphix mounts a methamphetamine detector to a UGV
Developed with a USMC grant, New York, Chicago, and other cities show interest in a chemical sensing system that can be worn on the clothing or attached to a robot; Chameleon system relies on armbands and disposable cartridges to provide a reading
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Japanese scientists use radio waves to detect TNT
Airport luggage screening to benefit from this breakthrough approach; nitrogen nuclear quadrupole resonance solves the problem of low nitrogen resonance levels; distinghuishing between cocaine and explosives the key challenge
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Smiths joins Birmngham U. to develop next-generation IMS systems
Ion mobility spectrometery has already proven itself in Smiths Detection’s Sentinel portals, but all agree that improvement in chemical detection is neccesary; £1 million project will take a close look at ionization chemistry
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Congress looks to expands America's K-9 ranks
Canine Detection Improvement Act of 2007 sets out standards for an increased push at explosives detection; airports and other critical infrastructure suffer from a lack of trained dogs; “breed American” is the new watchword, as congressmen try to take the German out of German shepherd
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Coda Octopus announces new Underwater Inspection System
Device creates real-time 3D images of subsea objects; port security the primary market for this intriguing new sonar product; company already known for its oil exploration-enhancing echoscope; government delivery pending
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Moths inspire explosives-hunting alorithim
Scent-tracking behavior provides a model for uncertain robot sniffers; Infotaxis algorithim developed by U.S. and U.K. researchers helps the robot develop and react to a “probability map”; exploration and exploitation tendencies are coordinated
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Sandia looks to the terahertz spectrum for next-gen explosives detection
Sitting between microwave and infrarerd, terahertz has long been neglected; technology is already used to detect chemical compounds in space, and so researchers look to miniaturize the system and create a library of spectral signatures
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ScanTech wins Chesapeake Innovation Center contest
Company, developer of X-ray technology capable of detecting uranium, explosives, and drugs, wins $50,000 but declines to put down roots in Maryland; other finalists include TIRF Technologies, Armada Group, and Riverglass
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SET Corp. to marry radar-imaging to gait recognition technology
Virginia company’s CounterBomber is proven effective at identifying hidden weapons on moving individuals; addition of gait recognition will allow constant surveillance of suspects, as well as point out a few new ones as well
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Smiths Group plays its cards tight
Smiths Groups sells its aerospace division to GE for $4.8 billion, proposing investors a £2.1 billion return — and then forms a detection JV with that company, with both companies hopingt o benefit from increased spending on WMD dection
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ICRC delivers first responder vehicles to Michigan National Guard
Heavy-duty truck is first to incorporate IRCS’s national guard vehicle information system for interoperability and networking; flexible communications, NBS detection, and nighttime surveillance among the features of this interesting vehicle
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Implant Science explores teaming up with RAE's senor networks
Companies will discuss technology-sharing possibilities; RAE’s AreaRAE system looks to expand into the explosives detection business; ISC’s device identifies TNT, black powder, ammonium nitrate, and more
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The long view
A new way to sense earthquakes could improve early warning systems
Every year earthquakes worldwide claim hundreds or even thousands of lives. Forewarning allows people to head for safety and a matter of seconds could spell the difference between life and death. Researchers demonstrate a new earthquake detection method — their technique exploits subtle telltale gravitational signals traveling ahead of the tremors. Future research could boost early warning systems.