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U.K. unveils broad counterterrorism measures
Prime Minister Gordon Brown unvelis broad counter-terrorism measures, including unified border police, electronic exit controls at U.K. borders, biometric visas, better critical infrastructure protection, and more
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New quantum key system combines speed, distance
Detection stage of the NIST prototype quantum key distribution system: Photons are “up-converted” from 1310 to 710 nm by one of the two NIST-designed converters at right, then sent to one of two commercial silicon avalanche photo diode units to the left. Credit: NIST
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Day of robot cops nears
Robots of various types — think of bomb disposal robots — are already being depolyed by law enforcement; next generation robots will be more versatile and autonomous
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InRob Tech, Frontline Robotics to collaborate
Two robotics specialists — one Canadian, one Israeli — agree to collaborate in marketing and joint bidding on defense-related robotics projects
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DHS big projects offer opportunities for nimble contractors
Some of DHS’s big projects — EAGLE and non-EAGLE — are underway and they offer opportunities for specialists
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Old screening technique allows probing terrorists' unconscious
SSRM Tek, a psychological screening tool, has been around for a while, but DHS believes it will allow interrogators identify which suspects have truly been engaged in terrorism
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Not lost in translation
The war on terrorism will take U.S. soldiers to every corner of the world where, to be effective, these soldiers will have to mingle with foreign populations in towns and villages; NIST, DARPA want to help
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Extremely thin sheet exhibits extreme strength
University of Chicago and Argonne Lab scientists discover amazing strength in a sheet of nanoparticles that measures just 50 atoms in thickness
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Harvard researchers develop robotic fly for use in surveillance, spying
Researchers develop an artificial fly whic h may be used in surveillance of battlefields, urban environments; the robot’s small size and fly-like appearance are key: “You probably wouldn’t notice a fly in the room, but you certainly would notice a hawk,” team leader says
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U.S. House says modeling, simulation is crtitical technology
Hampton Roads, Virginia, is a national hub for the modeling and simulation industry, and alocal congressman, who heads the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus, persuades House of industry’s importance
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Wisconsin DHS security grants cut
Unhappy Badgers contemplate effect of receiving only one-third of $12.8 million in security funding requested from DHS
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A first: FBI installs policeware remotely to trace bomb threat
FBI electronically installs spyware — or, rather, policeware — to MySpace account of a suspect in e-mailing bomb threats to school; suspect nabbed
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Piezoceramics allow for embedded structural monitoring sensors
The integrity of highly stressed materials — helicopter rotors, wind turbine blades — must be regularly checked for structural damage; German research institute develops embedded piezoceramics sensors to do just that
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Attack UAV squadron deployed to Iraq this week
The U.S. hints that it would take more aggressive action against terrorists hiding in Pakistan’s northwest territories; Pakistanis should note first-ever deployment of attack UAV squadron to Iraq this week
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U.S. VCs invest in clean energy, but cautiously
U.S. VCs suffered a blow during the dot.com bubble burst; they were supposed to reclaim their market position by riding the clean energy wave; they may do so yet, but very cautiously
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The long view
China exerting “sharp power” influence on American institutions
China is penetrating American institutions in ways that are coercive and corrupt, while the United States has not fully grasped the gravity of the situation, a Hoover Institution expert says. “An ultimate ambition for global hegemony” is driving China’s multifront efforts to manipulate US state and local governments, universities, think tanks, media, corporations, and the Chinese American community, said Larry Diamond, a senior fellow at Hoover.
Airport security screening without queues
Researchers have invented a device that could be developed into ultra-sensitive cameras for security screening which would not require people to queue at airports. Other applications could include smaller and safer sensors for driverless vehicles.
Significance vulnerabilities discovered in high-performance computer chips
Researchers have uncovered significant and previously unknown vulnerabilities in high-performance computer chips that could lead to failures in modern electronics. The researchers found they could damage the on-chip communications system and shorten the lifetime of the whole computer chip significantly by deliberately adding malicious workload.
Friendly electromagnetic pulse improves survival for electronics
An electromagnetic pulse, or EMP, emitted by a nuclear weapon exploded high above the United States could disable the electronic circuits of many devices vital to military defense and modern living. These could include complicated weapon systems as well as phones, laptops, credit cards and car computers. Also, in trouble might be home appliances, gas station pumps and bank accounts. Military equipment – and some civilian equipment, too — are designed to be immune to various levels of EMP, and the validity of these designs has been tested and improved by a “friendly” EMP generator installed in a recently renovated facility at Sandia National Laboratories.
Foldable drone flies through narrow passages in rescue missions
Researchers have developed a new drone that can retract its propeller arms in flight and make itself small to fit through narrow gaps and holes. This is particularly useful when searching for victims of natural disasters.
National Climate Assessment: Will U.S. water problems worsen?
Upmanu Lall is director of the Columbia Water Center, chair of Earth and Environmental Engineering, and the lead author of the chapter on water resources in the latest U.S. National Climate Assessment. The report, issued two weeks ago, paints a troubling picture of the nation’s climate future, including projected droughts and extreme precipitation events that could worsen already existing problems with U.S. water supplies and infrastructure. Lall discusses the climate change-driven water challenges the U.S. faces, and ideas for how the nation can respond.