The Science of Sniffing

Dogs are man's best friend, especially in environments where there is a threat that needs to be sniffed out.  The Pennsylvania State University Gas Dynamics Lab has been studying the science of sniffing, why dogs are so good at smelling threats like explosives, drugs, and people. Ultimately, this information can be used to build sampling and detection equipment which provides the same performance as a dog, but without the training and short working times a dog can work.  This same type of approach, using nature as a guide for technology, resulted in the lab, led by Professor Gary Settles, to develop the "Human Thermal Plume" trace explosive detection portal, licensed to General Electric and is currently deployed in airports and other security checkpoints as the EntryScan.  The PSUGDL is also studying the spread of disease through coughing and sneezing, and the effect of explosive blasts, among other topics and was recently featured in the New York Times.

 

For centuries, dogs have been the gold standard for detection, from prey on the hunt to explosives in airports. Now, their noses are the inspiration for security screening technologies. See the dogs at work in Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, courtesy of National Geographic.

Global Homeland Security, Homeland Defense & Intelligence Markets Outlook 2009-2018

Despite the global financial and economic crisis, this new report concludes that Homeland Security markets will remain recession-proof. The new research forecasts that these markets, will experience a robust growth of 6 to 7.5% CAGR over the 2009-2018 period. This is according to Homeland Security Research Corporation.

Will the technologies developed be the technologies you need?

The DHS Forum for First Responder Technology Gaps

The Department of Homeland Security has a division dedicated to funding research projects which bridge technology gaps for first responders called S&T TechSolutions. The scope of their operations is outlined below. An example of the types of projects which TechSolutions has funded can be found here.

If you fit the criteria listed below please send TechSolutions a proposal.
The HSE&T space is meant to be a forum to discuss technology, how it affects First Responders and other institutions (such as private companies which have physical security needs, airports, etc) and what we can do to make life better/easier for everyone on the front lines of Homeland Security.

S&T TechSolutions
The TechSolutions Program was established by the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate to provide information, resources and technology solutions that address mission capability gaps identified by the emergency response community.

The goal of TechSolutions is to field technologies that meet 80% of the operational requirement, in a 12 to 15 month time frame, at a cost commensurate with the proposal but less than $1 million per project. Goals will be accomplished through rapid prototyping or the identification of existing technologies that satisfy identified requirements.

Only first responders are eligible to submit capability gaps to the TechSolutions web site (Please, no unsolicited proposals or grant requests). If you are a first responder who has identified a capability gap that impacts multiple departments or sectors of the first response community or has an idea that would aid fellow first responders in doing their job faster, safer, and more efficiently, please relay your idea or capability gap to the DHS TechSolutions Program using the email link below. Submissions should be 3 typed pages or less, created in Microsoft Word, using Arial Regular 10pt font. Please include your contact information so that we may update you on the status of your submission.
The TechSolutions e-mail address is techsolutions@dhs.gov.

TechSolutions is not the appropriate forum for vendors to submit product ideas. Vendors who have a technology or product idea that may be of interest to the Department should communicate their idea to the Department's unsolicited proposal Web site http://www.dhs.gov/xopnbiz/opportunities/editorial_0617.shtm.

TechSolutions is not the appropriate forum for agencies or departments seeking grant assistance for technologies that already exist. Agencies or departments seeking grant assistance should visit www.grants.gov or contact their State Administrative Agency at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/contact_state.htm.

The following slideshow is from the Homeland Security Science & Technology Stakeholders Conference held May 21-24, 2007 Presented by the National Defense Industrial Association with technical assistance from the Homeland Security Department’s Science & Technology Directorate. A link to the conference site can be found here.