CBRNe News November 2009
Product Watch
Looks like we have something new!
GE Energy announced that it has been awarded a patent for their eVent active film laminate, which may herald the long-awaited dawn of semi-permeable membranes. The solution has sent a buzz around various procurement and scientific agencies keen to get their hands on the expanded polytetrafluroethylene membrane, with an oleophobic treatment and continuous treatment. GE reckons the combination of treatment and coating provides unique functionality. Another false dawn? We will have to wait and see...
Meanwhile GE Global Research announced that they had received a $2 million grant to develop wearable sensors for CB attacks. GE would combine RFID tags with ‘gas sensors’ that could fit into ID tags and other small items. They are also hoping that the tags will be able to analyze breath and pick up early signs of diabetes and cancer.
MedCM News
Bavarian Nordic secured up to $40 million from the
As reported in the October news, Human Genome and the FDA’s relationship gets worse as they deny approval for their ABthrax product. Quite what this means for the $160 million that has already been spent on ABthrax is unclear.
Tac-Bio seeing light?
Perennial nearly-there bio detector, Tac-Bio, looks like it might see the light of day after General Dynamics agreed with ECBC to commercialise it. General Dynamics ATP will sign a cooperative research and development agreement bringing Tac-Bio into a product range that includes Juno and JSLSCAD.
Like lightning!
Utilis announced its fastest ever decon system. The containerised system can be set up in minutes and has independent access to water, heating, lighting and waste water containment.
Nabco gets all Nordic
Nabco also announced that they have upgraded three TCVs for the Danish MoD to allow them to counter CBR threats too. In addition to this they also announced that the
G20’s Water Monitor
Agentase, a division of ICx, helped provide security for
Ambus in Dallas
First Line Technology announced the same of 10 of their Ambus kits to Dallas County Schools that allows them to convert conventional buses into special needs/medical assistance vehicles. The systems are easily retrofitted and can be used in conventional and non-conventional disasters.
By Columbus
Decongel, a polymeric hydrogel for containing and ‘decontaminating’ radiological material is one of the three finalists for the Columbus Foundation Homeland Security Award for 2009. Devised by the Polymers division of Cellular Bioengineering Inc - http://www.decongel.com/index.html - their Decongel is deemed to have made a ‘measurable and constructive contribution… to homeland security.’ A new product and a new company – thanks to
Threat Watch
No news is good news?
The Iraqi Supreme Court named and shamed 460 foreign companies of selling chemicals to the Hussein regime, yet despite this there have been no law suits against them. An Iraqi Parliamentary Committee is lobbying for action, yet, it would seem that the government/Supreme Court is seeing the ‘big picture:’ the one that says these things are best left in the past. Shame.
ER
All the same... no thanks.
Col. Gen. Andrei Novikov, the CIS’ [Commonwealth of Independent States] Anti-Terrorism Centre’s Head, announced that the
Banco de WMD
The US Treasury labelled North Korean bank Amroggang Development a WMD proliferator for controlling the Tanchon Commercial Bank, which is also sanctioned by the US and UN for their work with Pyongyang’s nuclear activities. Executive Order 13382 allows the
Bill Passed
The US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill intended to improve security at the nations biological research facilities. The panel voted 8-1 in favour of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2009, it is not apparent when the Senate will take up the legislation which will provide security regulations for laboratories. It will also divide the government’s list of select agents into three tiers, subjecting those that handle the 8-10 most troublesome pathogens to the highest security - which will be monitored by DHS.
This was joined by the Chemical Security Bill, which also passed successfully through the House. This will put new security restrictions on US facilities that use or store dangerous chemicals. It will broaden the responsibility of the DHS in such matters and will also regulate security at public water treatment facilities.
Aboot a portal
The Canadian and US border now has a complete system of radiological portal monitors to scan all vehicles and cargo entering the
Chinese nuclear drill
War C(brn)rimes
The
Indian Stryker
After thje latest round of US – Indian wargames the Indian Army was deeply impressed with the US Combat vehicle Stryker and have placed a global RFI (Request for Information) to acquire similar wheeled APCs. The Army wants to buy 100 vehicles after which they would make their own indigenous version using approved technology transfer – this would include the CBRN variant.
Russia
The Maradykovsky site in
Less than expected, more than necessary
CBRN heroine Amber Cummings received a one year sentence for the fatal shooting of her abusive, but most importantly potential radiological terrorist, husband. As reported in February 2009 after one beating too many Amber shot and killed her husband James and investigators found that the white supremacist had enough radiological material gathered to set off all radiological detectors that would attend the scene of the explosion – but not provide a dangerous level of radiological material.
While she didn’t intend to thwart the attack her actions may have saved lives, but will have undoubtedly retained a better quality of life for many people.
Please forward any items for consideration in this section to the editor, Gwyn Winfield This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it