ENSCO, Inc. has secured an 18-month, $2.9 million Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) contract to continue sensor system development initiatives.
ENSCO’s work would focus on SenseNet, an endeavor devoted to developing a low-cost integrated sensor system capable of detecting biological health hazards in buildings and other high-occupancy indoor facilities.
“Biological and environmental health hazards can pose a high threat to our nation,” William N. Bryan, senior official performing the duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology,” said. “S&T is working to develop an innovative solution to this evolving problem using sensors that not only quickly and accurately detect possible hazards, but also distinguish between naturally occurring events and those that may be threats. SenseNet is a key example of how S&T is creating new approaches to help protect American citizens and infrastructure.”
ENSCO previously designed, developed and successfully demonstrated a prototype system adaptable for a variety of building layouts. The enterprise will continue to develop, integrate, test, and demonstrate a tiered aerosol detection system combining low-cost and rapid dedicated environmental monitoring sensors with newly emerging commercial sensors.
The continued initiative is expected to yield an architecture integrating multiple sensor types that are potentially highly distributed and generate data that can be collected and analyzed in the cloud for rapid situational awareness and response.