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San Diego shows promise as homeland security incubator
Local companies take advantage of proximity to high education; Daylight Solutions offers a hand held trace explosive detector that relies on lasers; Seacoast Science “volitaile organic chemical detector” identifies sarin, acetone, and other deadly chemicals
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Broadware Technologies, Cubic team up for Baltimore MTA explosives detection system
Program brings together trace detection and video capabilities to defend against train terrorism; when explosves are detected at ticketing kiosks, Broadware cameras transmit a digital picture to security personnel while the entry gates refuse access
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Senate passes port inspection deal; no 100% inspection
The beefed-up port security measure places heavy emphasis on radiation detection at U.S. ports, but Republicans fought off Democrats’ demand to include a mandatory 100% inspection of all U.S.-bound cargo containers; bill also increases funding for rail and land transportation security
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Lobbyists resist homeland security measures recommended by 9/11 Commission
Farmers fight off ammonium nitrate controls; television station opposes handing over frequency for emergency services; retailers stick to their guns on radiological screening of containers
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AS&E adds to summer sales numbers with $42 million explosives detection deal
Z Backscatter Van continues to hold U.S. government’s attention; deal follows a series of multi-million dollar deals with U.S. and Middle Eastern nations; price includes training, service, and labor warranty
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Carbon nanotubes may reduce reliance on nuclear materials
The most pressing nuclear risk is the one involving a dirty bomb: Nuclear materials are used for routine operations by tens of thousands of commercial establishments, requiring a vast system of shipment, handling, and storage; many of these facilities, and practically all of the shipping procedure, are but loosely guarded, if that, offering easy targets for terrorists intent on obtaining the material; would that we had a technology which would reduce our reliance on nuclear materials; Applied Nanotech believes it has such a technology
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JMAR receives Army small business award
Phase II award to finance further development of LIBS spectrochemical hazard analysis technology; laser-based approach ideal for troops in the field; toxic substances a constant threat in Iraq
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American Science and Engineering signs service contract for ZBV X-ray system
Despite recent worries about explosive detection industry, DHS moves forward with long-term deals; unnamed agency purchased eight ZBV vans last month
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Doctors group assails DHS radiological planning
Physicians for Social Responsibilty says DHS has no plan to evacuate communities downwind from a dirty nuke attack; field emergency plans inadequate; DHS says report “lacks a grasp of reality”
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Guardian Technologies, DHS in R&D deal
TSI will test company’s PinPoint explosive detection technology; success will mean operational testing in airports; company recently permitted to export technology overseas
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Parsons, along with eleven other companies, receives nuclear waste advanced remediation technology contract
Company will further develop its Continuous Sludge Leaching and New Tank Cesium Removal technologies; total value of six-month contracts is $3.3 million
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Solution for tracing explosives in compact electronic items
What do laptops, medical devices, and cameras have in common? they are characterized by small size and sophisticated internal components; tracing explosives hidden in them is thus difficult; TraceGuard is developing a solution specifically aimed at sniffing explosives hidden in such devices
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The consequences of one nuclear bomb smuggled into a port in a container
A RAND study says that a 10-kiloton nuclear explosion at the Port of Long Beach could kill 60,000 people instantly, expose 150,000 more to hazardous radiation, and cause ten times more economic loss than the 9/11 terrorist attacks
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London arrests should prompt interest in fluoroscopic detection system
In tests conducted in spring 2004, TSA found that, compared with X-ray machine systems, screeners using the fluoroscopic system from Golan Group were more likely to detect IEDs — especially those “artfully concealed”; it is time to consider to act on the study’s conclusions
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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.