-
Colorado researchers produce a better chemical warfare suit
Conventional butyl rubber is blended with polymerizable liquid crystal; water transfer rates and permeability substantially improved, allowing for lighter and safer suits; other applications include filters for brine and contaminated water
-
-
Los Alamos perfects bee explosives detection teams
Based on research done by UK-based Inscentinel, government entymologists train bees with sugar water to detect bombs and IEDs; four bees are placed in a small box monitored by image recognition software; when explosives are detected, the bees extend their proboscises and trigger an alarm
-
-
RedXDefense signs an event-security deal with DHS
Kiosks arranged around event perimeter use trace explosives technology to screen ticketholders; those who pass are issued a “Keepsake” that acts as both souvenir and security authorization
-
-
AS&E wins $13 million NATO deal
Contract covers a range of explosives detection needs, including parcel, personnel, and cargo; no ZBVs in this deal, despite company’s oft-reported success
-
-
Halma acquires Tritech for £8-12.5 million, Swift for 2£ million
U.K.-based sensor technology specialist acquires two Singapore-based companies — underwater sonar firm Tritech and its design and manufacturing partner Swift; acquisiton will help Halma strengthen its position in the homeland sceucity and petrchemical markets
-
-
-
ACRO develops a pen-like TATP detector
As an increasing number of companies develop portable, self-contained laboratories, ARCO jumps ahead to fight a common terrorist explosive; technology uses enzyme-catalyzed oxidation to produce colored pigments; low cost per unit a huge attraction for pen devices
-
-
Westinghouse files patent for nuclear detector that overcomes lead shielding
Non-intrusive meathod of cargo screening propels deutrons into tritium in order to generate a powerful beam of nuetrons that excite hidden radioactive material
-
-
JMAR warned by NASDAQ it may be delisted
Maker of popular BioSentry and other laser-based and X-ray detection systems receives note from NASDAQ that it is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement and may be delisted
-
-
NRC established on-line nuclear material reporting system
From the construction to the pharmaceutical industries, many companies rely on sealed and bonded radioactive materials; the National Source Tracking System now requires next-day notification of purchases; data will be used to identify and track suspicious transactions
-
-
AS&E reports Q2 financial results
Massachusetts-based radiation-detection specialist shows mixed financial results for Q2 2007; earning per share suffered as a result of the adoption in April of SFAS 123R, and the resulting pre-tax charge; the company boasts of the highest order backlog in company’s history — a respectable $117 million
-
-
Smiths Detection moves forward with Tunnel of Truth
Scheduled for deployment at the 2012 London Olympics, the system incorporates a slew of automated measures to detect explosives and weapons; scheme resembles GE’s Checkpoint of the Future, including the use of the much-maligned puffer machines
-
-
DHS announces winners of $113 million in portable radiation detection grants
Succesful companies include SAIC, Ametec AMT, Sanmina-SCI, Target Instruments, and Smiths Detection; DHS to purchase 1,000 handheld and 200 backpack systems
-
-
AMETEK wins DHS contract for germanium-based nuclear radiation detector
There are several types of radiation detectors, but experts lean toward germanium-based gamma ray detectors as offering the best combination of resolution and sensitivity; a specialist in this technology has just won a $2.4 million contract from DHS — a contract with a potential $50 million value over a five year period
-
-
Thresher acquires Talon
The market for the secure containment, transportation, and storage of nuclear materials is growing — what with these materials offering lucrative targets for terrorists and growing environmental concerns; Thresher, a company which knows a thing or two about casting and composite materials, is acquiring Talon, a specialist in manufacturing premium metal matrix composites
-
The long view
U.S. must start from scratch with a new nuclear waste strategy: Experts
The U.S. government has worked for decades and spent tens of billions of dollars in search of a permanent resting place for the nation’s nuclear waste. Some 80,000 tons of highly radioactive spent fuel from commercial nuclear power plants and millions of gallons of high-level nuclear waste from defense programs are stored in pools, dry casks and large tanks at more than seventy-five sites throughout the country. “No single group, institution or governmental organization is incentivized to find a solution,” says one expert.