BIODETECTION
Field-proven, existing technologies improve performance when integrated with new step-change approaches.
Antony Roth introduces a new programme to enhance cooperation in biodetection technologies
PARTNERSHIP Furthermore, diversifi cation into seemingly unrelated fi elds
has allowed Dycor to leverage its microbiological expertise by linking with our oilfi eld services and instrumentation supply segment. This created an opportunity for the development of new techniques used in microbial-enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), a novel process used to enhance ageing oil-well production. The result is Dycor’s readiness and ability to continue to supply proven capability, maintain and build upon our biological detection knowledge database even in a muted procurement environment while standing by for a time where, God forbid, it may unfortunately and desperately be needed again.
TWOBIAS Another and perhaps more signifi cant consequence of an environment of slowing demand is reduced spending on research and development in the next generation of detection and sampler technologies. Dycor’s strong partnerships within the biodetection community, even among competitors, has allowed for useful cooperation in pursuit of a new approach to biodetection and identifi cation development as part of the TWOBIAS (Two Stage Rapid Biological Surveillance and Alarm System for Airborne Pathogenic Threats) programme. Typically, technology improvements can be pursued in two ways, by the development and commercialization of brand new step-change technologies that typically carries high costs in time and resource or, alternatively, via incremental improvements through reductions in size/power/weight for existing devices. The TWOBIAS research intends to integrate diff erent data
sets, obtained from orthogonal detection technologies combined with a novel new identifi cation technology. Examining the fused data set in an integrated fashion would enable signifi cant improvements in reliable, near real-time detection and identifi - cation performance for airborne pathogenic agents. The concept being that an overall system-level alarm will be additive with regard to individual technology detection successes and subtractive with regard to false alarm indications.
In other words, we
can utilize existing technologies (including Dycor’s CFLAPS bio-detector) to improve the overall system performance above that of the individual components; that is, the sum is greater than the parts, so to speak. Furthermore, in addition to bench top development and laboratory testing in controlled environments, the TWOBIAS program is unique in that real-life, in-situ testing will be performed at an underground metro station in Europe identifi ed as a site that could facilitate the spread of a pandemic airborne pathogen or be considered a potential target for bioterrorism. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme [FP7-SECT-2009] under grant agreement No 242297. The TWOBIAS consortium consists of a diverse team of research organizations and private companies, including the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), Direction Générale de L’armement (DGA), Dycor Global Solutions Ltd., Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI), Q-linea AB, The Czech National Institute for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Protection (SUJCHBO), THALES Security Systems (TSS), THALES Research and Technology (TRT), and the University of Uppsala. While the goal of completely eradicating the threat of CBRN events in the world is a desirable and noble one, the truth is that achieving a suitable level of preparedness and vigilance is a more likely and suitable reality for the world we live in today. ❚❙
Antony Roth
M.Sc. P.Eng is an Aerosol Systems Engineer at Dycor Global Solutions Ltd with a decade of experience in product development, test and evaluation, and ongoing training and system deployment with customers. Requests for more information about the TWOBIAS programme can be forwarded to the Programme Coordinator Janet Blatney: janet-martha.blatny@ffi .no.
CBNW 2013/02 85
Dycor’s XMX/2L ruggedized high-volume air sampler.
Images ©Dycor
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