DHS funds earmarked for explosives, drugs detection

South Dakota-based Synthetik Applied Technologies, LLC has secured a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program award to develop explosives and illicit drugs detection technology.

Officials indicated Synthetik Applied Technologies, LLC was selected for the $999,406 award in the wake of a successful Phase I feasibility demonstration in the Enhanced Explosives and Illicit Drugs Detection by Targeted Interrogation of Surfaces topic area.

“The capabilities for screening, detection and identification of explosives and illicit drugs are essential in maintaining safety at airports, ports of entry, and other screening venues,” Kathryn Coulter Mitchell, DHS senior official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, said. “Enhancing detection and screening technologies with a targeted surface interrogation capability will provide an efficient and more accurate way to find trace particles of interest in critical screening environments.”

Synthetik Applied Technologies, LLC is slated to continue research and development efforts regarding the DeepSpektra high-resolution hyperspectral and deep-learning-based non-contact detection technology.

“With Synthetik as a small business partner, we hope to develop a tool that can revolutionize explosives and illicit drugs trace sampling procedures,” Thoi Nguyen, DHS SBIR Topic manager, said. “Given the high level of interest in this type of technology, we hope to provide our DHS Component partners and intended end users with a workable prototype technology that can be tested in their laboratories.”