• A Delaware chemical ID startup earns a state grant

    AlphaSense is working on developing a prototype, which will look like a shoebox; the user will put a swab of the material into the box and the device will sense emissions in the terahertz range to identify the chemical compound

  • Growing investments in smart grid

    Investment is seen shifting from capital-intensive energy generating technologies, such as solar and wind, to those associated with energy storage, transportation and efficiency

  • Justice sues bulletproof vest manufacturer for using faulty materials

    The Justice Department sues Massachusetts-based First Choice Armor for knowingly using faulty material in the bulletproof vests they sold the military and law enforcement; the company used Zylon, which degrades quickly, especially in hot and humid conditions

  • TeleContinuity, SRA to support national communication system

    TeleContinuity will help the National Communications System’s (NCS) national security and emergency preparedness programs in providing critical continuity of communications expertise, preserving the ability of federal agencies to maintain Continuity of Government (COG) when it is most vital - during disasters, emergencies, evacuations, or pandemics

  • Food safety moves up on Americans' agenda

    The problem of food safety has been very much on the minds of Americans this summer; the government and the private sector are doing more to address the problem

  • Mississippi company develops elevated acoustic sensor

    Acoustic sensors are typically located on the ground; a Mississippi company developed an elevated acoustic sensor that can be mounted on a balloon; the sensor can be combined with a camera to create a visual and auditory sensor

  • Jobs in the U.S. computer industry on the rise

    In July, U.S. non-farm payroll as a whole sunk by 247,000 — but not in the computer industry, where 7,900 jobs were added; raw numbers — that is, ones not adjusted for regular seasonal variations — were even more favorable, with a rise of 12,900

  • "Point-and-toss" UAV in field demonstration

    Florida-based IATech used the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s biannual field demonstration to show its point-and-toss UAV: the unit measures 3 feet across and is thrown like a paper airplane; it costs only about $25,000

  • DA-42 UAV tested

    Israeli Aeronautics Defense Systems tests new UAV; the system can stay airborne for up to 28 hours with a 900-pound payload

  • All-titanium campus bridge show way for defense industry

    University of Akron, Defense Metals Technology Center co-sponsor design contest for titanium pedestrian bridge on university’s campus; titanium is a strong, lightweight, virtually corrosion-proof (but expensive) metal; a high-profile venture demonstrating titanium’s feasibility in commercial infrastructure projects could spark greater demand and open new markets for titanium
    ‘Avant-garde’ all-titanium span could spur other projects - and cut Pentagon’s costs

  • Mexican cartels smuggle oil to US

    Mexican drug cartel have a new revenue stream: they siphon oil from Mexican government pipelines and smuggle it into the U.S., where the oil is sold to refineries

  • Power companies seek federal funds for smart grid

    The Obama administration has placed a priority on smart grid technology, and Congress has approved $3.4 billion in federal grants for smart grid projects nationwide

  • Smart grid gold rush

    The competition among companies offering smart grid technology has grown to be pretty fierce in recent years, even more so lately given the $11 billion allocated in the federal government’s American Reinvestment and Recovery Act

  • Force Protection stumbles

    Force Protection Q2 profit lags Street; in June, Force Protection lost a $1.1 billion Afghanistan truck deal to Oshkosh Corp.

  • Study highlights air cargo security failings

    New study: “these weak spots [in air cargo security] increase the security risk of worldwide transport, which can result in the disruption of logistical processes with considerable economic losses”