The challenge to defeat CBRNE threats is largely borne by national defense, homeland security, and law enforcement entities as part of broader counterterrorism or law enforcement missions. Signature Science supports their efforts by offering understanding of CBRNE threats from a science and technology perspective.
Explosives Detection Systems T&E
Manufacturers of chemical sensor and detection instruments (spectroscopic, IMS-based, MS-based, colorimetric, handheld to bench-top) rely on Signature Science to support their development process with our testing and evaluation services. Our team builds instrument signature libraries for drugs, chemical threat agents, and explosives. Trace explosive chemical detector testing can be performed in accordance with ASTM E2520-15.
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Alan Smith
Chemistry Manager
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Chemical Threats Subject Matter Expertise
Our nation sustains a wide-ranging effort to counter CBRNE and IED threats and Signature Science has supported that mission for more than 20 years. We take a multi-disciplinary approach to recognizing the signatures of homemade explosives (HME) manufacturing and IED fabrication activities. Our staff are experts in explosives synthesis, testing, collection, and detection; perform explosives signature detection and characterization research; develop and produce explosives detection K9 training aids; and provide HME subject matter expertise to DoD, DHS, and law enforcement.
Further, elements of our chemical signature discovery process are applied to chemical threat agents and their precursors/degradants, illicit drugs such as fentanyl and its derivatives, and emerging threats.
Engineered Solutions
The ability to collect chemical samples to identify and quantify contaminant concentrations in the air is a need that is common across environmental protection, defense, and homeland security organizations. Increasingly, there is a need to accomplish collection in remote locations and using automated systems. In these cases, the large size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements of the conventional, off-the shelf air sampling technologies is severely limiting. Signature Science’s patented low SWaP sampling technologies, incorporated into custom sample collection solutions, can make possible collection scenarios that were previously ‘out of reach’ and impractical.
Kirby Kendall, PhD
Senior Scientist
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In 2021, the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD), on behalf of the Department of Defense, sought a field operator-friendly solution for the rapid detection of fentanyl. At that time, synthetic opioid detection relied upon the use of either external laboratory equipment or field detection kits with multiple reagents and buffers. Sample collection required the handling of the suspected opioid, increasing the risk of potential operator exposure. Field operators needed an easy-to-use detection system that could be used while wearing PPE and returned fast results in time-critical operational environments to ensure the safety of others.
Alan Smith
Chemistry Manager
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Systems Design & Integration
Warfighters and first responders rely on robust systems that reduce risk and enhance their capabilities in the field. Signature Science leads multi-disciplinary teams in the design, development, integration, and test and evaluation of next-generation CBRNE detection systems.
Danielle Dickinson, PhD
Director, Systems Design & Integration
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Synthetic Biology Solutions
The design, fabrication, and application of novel biological components can enable advances in biochemical, biological, and viral threat characterization and detection. Signature Science uses its broad capabilities in synthetic biology, including genome engineering for synthetic microbiology and synthetic virology, to offer innovative solutions to persistent challenges. For example, Signature Science applied synthetic biology techniques to create a biodetection platform to detect chemical agents underground. And, as the devastating effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic underscore the need for empirical, predictive tools to rapidly characterize viral threats, Signature Science is addressing a gap in predictive capabilities by employing synthetic biology techniques to establish a laboratory model of viral evolution for pandemic viruses.
Curt Hewitt, PhD
Senior Molecular Biologist
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