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Kromek Launches New Alpha Beta Probe to Upgrade the D5 RIID

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023

November 22nd 2023

Kromek, the designer and manufacturer of radiation detectors, based in Sedgefield Co. Durham, today launches a new Alpha Beta probe attachment to its ground-breaking handheld D5 RIID, already the world’s most portable and sensitive handheld Gamma and Neutron detector. The probe connects directly to the D5 RIID and enables all types of isotopes to be detected by a single portable device. The upgraded D5 RIID has been proven to meet the British and US DEF-STAN and MIL-STD requirements.

This revolutionary development gives the D5 RIID a capability even superior to the ground-breaking performance available at its launch in 2021. With a small form factor, ergonomic design and easy to read graphical display, the probe can be held in one hand for prolonged scanning missions and is compact enough to be used in any scanning location. The system also has a standoff bracket, so that the detector is not contaminated by Alpha or Beta particles.

The Alpha Beta Probe front/rear

The D5 RIID can operate in different modes while scanning and monitoring all radiation types: In Search Mode, the user can view real time counts per second with Alpha and Beta counts, shown alongside Gamma and Neutron counts. In Timer Mode it is possible to see how many Alpha and Beta counts occur in a set time period. And in the Threshold setting there is a handy visual bar to see how close the current Alpha and Beta counts are to the set threshold. These thresholds can be easily changed in the device settings.

The device also allows the user to enable and disable NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) Suppression thanks to a special Kromek algorithm which allows for enhanced differentiation between normal background sources and true sources giving greater survey and reconnaissance capability. This algorithm can be enabled in the device settings, but otherwise the system defaults to a standard k sigma algorithm found in all Kromek detectors.

For additional levels of security, the user can also determine which settings on the D5 DIID are routine or restricted. Routine users can access any non-PIN protected settings, whereas authorised users have another layer of on-device customisation available with PIN protected settings.

One of the revolutionary new capabilities, perhaps the most, of the upgraded D5 RIID is the ability to set three different dose rate thresholds. The previous “High Dose Rate” setting is replaced to allow detection of low, medium and high radiation levels. Through the use of a reset button the D5 RIID can be rest in the field (or on site) rather than being brought back to a central location.

Kromek’s Product Manager Eve Paylor said: “From the outset of this upgrade we set out to keep the D5 RIID at the forefront of capability available to both the specialist and general user. Kromek believes there is a demonstrable need to detect even the lowest levels of Alpha, Beta and Gamma isotopes and neutrons in a single device to allow for rapid and accurate identification. By significantly improving the threshold capability from an already world leading position we have sought to improve operational availability and logistics and ease of use for the operator.”

“With the new Alpha Beta Probe, the D5 RIID is truly the most versatile handheld radiation detector available today. Conforming to the most rigorous British and American military, environmental and technical standards and with an exceptional degree of sensitivity and survivability, the device is suitable for use in the most challenging situations to detect all types of radioactive material. Its built-in endurance, ergonomic design and networked capability means that it is the most user-friendly device on the market. Kromek believes in constant review of our products we have to improve capability and operational utility. This upgrade does just that,” she said.

Further information is available at www.kromek.com.

Posted in CBRNE, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Army Researchers Receive Patent for Pocket-Sized Chemical and Biological Assessment Kit

Monday, November 6th, 2023

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Army researchers have developed an innovative design for immediate on-the-ground chemical and biological assessment, giving traditional everyday laboratory equipment a new purpose for Soldiers in the field.

The invention, known as the pocket detection pouch, or PDP, was granted a patent on July 26, 2023, for its unique design that enables a one-way flow of a chemical or biological liquid sample that can be assessed and preserved in a lightweight, pocket-sized pouch.

The invention itself was deliberately designed to be “low-tech,” with the purpose to provide simple, immediate, and easily readable test results in the field while reducing the size, weight, and burden that traditional detection equipment imposes on the warfighter.

The idea for the PDP began at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center and was brought forward through the collaboration of two researchers at the organization — Ms. Kelley Betts and Dr. Jennifer Sekowski.

Betts, a research scientist and an Army wife, understood that every ounce carried by a Soldier during deployments matters, and wondered if there was a way to combine both a chemical and biological detection capability into a single, easy-to-use platform using something readily accessible — like an inexpensive plastic bag.

She decided to use her knowledge and expertise to develop a customizable chemical and biological assessment tool that was small, lightweight and could fit easily in the pocket of every warfighter. Betts developed the initial prototype in her kitchen using everyday resealable sandwich bags and a heat-sealer. “I found a way to come up with multiple individual chambers within the bag, and that’s how the one-way flow for liquids was born,” said Betts.

In this episode of CB Defense Today, public affairs specialist, Jack Bunja, interviews Doctor Jennifer Sekowski, a molecular toxicologist at the Center and inventor of the Pocket Detection Pouch (PDP), and Yusuf Henriques, founder and CEO of IndyGeneUS AI.

DEVCOM CBC Video by Ellie White

Betts then introduced the idea to Sekowski, who further helped to develop the prototype and proposed the technology to the Innovative Development of Employee Advanced Solutions program at DEVCOM CBC where she was awarded $50,000 over the span of six months to further develop the technology.

Gathering information and garnering feedback from other scientists, researchers, and warfighters within the Center allowed Sekowski and Betts to further refine their invention by increasing the size of the flap opening, reducing the size of the pouch and including a self-loading feature that allows the end user to tailor the PDP for different scenarios.

During refinement, the pair maintained the idea to reduce the burden to the warfighter by making the asset easy to use, lightweight, inexpensive, power-free with little debris footprint, and enabling the ability of containment. “It is one of the least expensive projects I’ve ever done, and one of the most successful,” said Sekowski.

The final design allows for a pouch that collects a sample into a main chamber which then flows into individual testing channels that are perforated at the bottom and housed in an external chamber. It is essentially a bag within a bag. “Other people have developed other, small form factor platforms, but in the end, we were able to demonstrate that our device is worthy of a patent because of the design,” said Sekowski.

The design has been able to gain further support and funding for production on a larger scale. The team has been able to partner with IndyGeneUS AI, a veteran- and minority-owned business dedicated to the field of medical technology, to further the development of the PDP. “We’re very fortunate that we were able to patent it and that allowed us to work with IndyGeneUS AI. They are going to help us find funding to do that engineering work to make it a commercial product,” said Sekowski.

With both the patent and partnership in place, Betts and Sekowski plan to continue developing the product further, working with IndyGeneUS AI to make the PDP commercially available. “I would like to see it in the hands of Soldiers, in the hands of people, where it can make a big difference in the world,” said Betts.

By Aeriel Storey

Posted in Army, CBRNE, Guest Post | No Comments »

Study from Ventus Illustrates Evidence and Risk of Toxic Respiratory Exposure from Firearm Combustion and Weapons Training

Sunday, November 5th, 2023

An independent analysis of filters recovered from Ventus’ TR2 Tactical Respirator, worn during various weapons training exercises, revealed the presence of 32 different heavy metals and compounds after just a single day of use

Toronto, Ontario, Nov. 02, 2023 — Ventus Respiratory Technologies, a company pioneering a new standard of respiratory protection for law enforcement, the armed forces, and first responders, has conducted a comprehensive study to illustrate the filtration efficacy of its TR2 Tactical Respirator, and to provide quantitative evidence of airborne hazards in weapons training environments.

“The TR2 is unique in the market, being the only CE-certified respirator that is purpose-built for military and law enforcement personnel, to protect them from toxic exposure,” said Arjun Grewal, CEO of Ventus, who previously spent 20 years with the Canadian Armed Forces. “Chronic exposure to particulates such as those produced by combustion has been shown to pose a significant health risk.”

“Particulate” refers to a type of air pollution consisting of a complex mixture of tiny solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. The TR2 has demonstrated its ability to filter out ?99% of solid airborne particulates down to 0.06?m and 97% of oil-based particles down to 0.3?m.

About The Study:

The study consisted of weapons training exercises with participants wearing Ventus’ TR2. These took place in multiple live training scenarios often experienced by Special Forces and SWAT teams. This included indoor firing ranges, outdoor firing ranges, and close-quarter battle (CQB) shoot houses.

Following this, the respirator filters were removed and analyzed by an independent lab to learn the level and volume of airborne contamination present. “The TR2 protects the wearer’s airway and respiratory system, our filter is a critical layer of protection between the toxic air present in these environments and the body. The findings were surprising.”

Results:

An average of 32 different compounds including heavy metals and known carcinogens were identified in all TR2 filters including aluminum, antimony, bismuth, copper, iron, lead, potassium, sodium, strontium, and uranium, with levels consistently exceeding daily exposure thresholds for each chemical, as established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Access the full report here:

“These concentrations of heavy metals and carcinogenic compounds are very concerning, particularly considering that the filters examined were worn for a single day only, whereas real-world users typically participate in similar activities 10-15 times per month,” added Grewal. “Respiratory protection has lagged, or simply been non-existent, compared to eye and ear protection requirements for these activities for far too long. The rate of respiratory illness in military personnel is roughly three times greater than for the average population. This study is critical to educate users and leadership of the clear and present risks.”

Short-term exposure to these and other particulate matter can cause airway restriction, reduced oxygenation, slower cognition, diminished performance, and acute respiratory illness. Longer-term exposure to high particulate loads can lead to chronic illness and disability.

Ventus is backed by ONE9 and Kensington Capital. ONE9 is Canada’s first and only venture capital fund and accelerator focused purely on national security and critical infrastructure technologies.

Posted in CBRNE, Press Release | 7 Comments »

Kromek Returns to DSEI, London ExCel Centre, 12-15 September 2023

Wednesday, August 30th, 2023

Kromek, the radiation and biological detection specialists headquartered in Sedgefield, County Durham, are returning to DSEI, Europe’s largest security and defence exhibition with over 2800 exhibitors, at London’s ExCel Centre from 12-15 September 2023.

Government, military, and civilian personnel from the UK and more than 150 countries are expected to attend. The company will be part of the Make UK Defence pavilion, alongside some of the UK’s most innovative security and defence manufacturers. (H2-250).

Kromek will be featuring its suite of radiological detectors, including the full range of the “D family” hand-held radioisotope detection devices, including the D3M, D3S and D5 RIID. These devices are known for their networked capability to integrate with local, national, and international systems; their noted accuracy and ability to rapidly identify even the smallest samples and lowest dose rates; and their endurance, portability, and ease of use.

The company will also be debuting its two revolutionary standalone static node detectors, the Static Node D and Static Node R. These detectors were designed for unattended, continuous spectroscopic radiation monitoring via satellite communication. They combine the compatibility and sensitivity of the existing suite of Kromek detectors with satellite connectivity, ruggedised casing, with the Static Node R encompassing an enhanced power pack to enable the device to be used for up to 7 days in a higher activity environment.

Kromek will also be featuring their biological detection capability at DSEI. The integrated environmental monitoring systems allow the early, agnostic detection of biological threats across large areas, with minimal user interaction. Kromek’s novel autonomous biosensing system – “a lab in a box” – detects the presence of airborne or waterborne pathogens. Kromek offers a revolutionary capability to understand and control the spread of diseases..

Craig Duff, Kromek’s CBRN Business Manager, said “With the ever-present threat of a radiological or biological incident, given current international events, our detection capabilities are more necessary than ever. We are looking forward to returning to DSEI and demonstrating our range of radiological and biological detectors to many of our existing and prospective customers from the global CBRN community as well as infrastructure and platform providers and integrators.”

www.kromek.com

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Wilcox Industries – Hybrid PATRIOT 5510

Thursday, August 24th, 2023

The Wilcox Hybrid PATRIOT 5510 offers responders four breathing modes – SCBA, PAPR, APR, and SAR. The Hybrid PATRIOT 5510 is the next generation in hybrid life support systems offering network capabilities, equipped for CBRN environments, improved monitoring capability and world class breaching/cutting torch options and is the only ISO certified hybrid system.

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Avon Protection Awarded NATO Contract for CBRN Protective Boots & Gloves

Wednesday, July 19th, 2023

The framework contract will run for three years with two additional one-year options

18 JULY 2023, Melksham, UK: Avon Protection has been awarded a three-year contract, with two optional one-year extensions, by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for CBRN protective boots and gloves. The framework contract will allow NATO nations and partners to place orders for Avon Protection’s EXOSKIN-B1 boots and EXOSKIN-G1 gloves.

Launched in 2022, the EXOSKIN range of boots and gloves are manufactured from Avon Protection’s proven rubber technology. The range protects operators against Chemical Warfare Agent, Toxic Industrial Chemical and biological threats.

The ambidextrous EXOSKIN-G1 glove features a rubberised outer layer textured to maintain grip in wet conditions, and an intelligent, seamless inner knitted liner that has a conductive tip on both the thumb and forefinger to enable the wearer to handle and operate electronic touch screen devices.

The EXOSKIN-B1 boot provides improved durability and agility in the field, with quick-release straps to secure the garment over standard footwear. A highly textured sole improves the wearer’s manoeuvrability in all underfoot conditions.

Designed for quick donning and doffing, the EXOSKIN range integrates with many protective suit ensembles, delivering advanced dexterity and agility in the field while maximising protection for the operator.

“This contract further underlines Avon Protection’s close partnership with NATO for the provision of CBRN protection capability. To date several nations have actively deployed the FM50 respirator under the ongoing NSPA framework contract for that system,” Steve Elwell, President, Respiratory Protection for Avon Protection, said. “With the new boots and gloves contract, all NATO nations will now have the ability to acquire our EXOSKIN products, allowing them to benefit from our wider portfolio of market-leading technologies and to keep their operators safe in the field during CBRN situations.”

Posted in CBRNE, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Avon Protection Awarded NATO Contract for CBRN Protective Boots & Gloves

445th OSS Tests New Protective Mask Suited for Wing C-17 Aircrew

Tuesday, July 18th, 2023

Airmen from the 445th Operations Support Squadron’s aircrew flight equipment (AFE) shop and 89th Airlift Squadron participated in a field testing and training event for the M69 Joint Service Aircrew Mask for Strategic Aircraft (JSAM SA) assembly, the new aircrew flying chem gear June 5-9.

The M69 JSAM SA assembly will replace the Mask Breath Unit-19P Aircrew Eye and Respiratory Protection (AERP) equipment. It is currently approved for all fixed-wing, non-ejection seat, non-pressure breathing large frame aircraft, such as the C-17 Globemaster III.
When the new masks arrived, they were unpacked with each one carefully inspected for defects or damage before being added to the inventory list.

Members with Headquarters Aircrew Flight Equipment and Air Force Life Cycle Management CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) Defense Systems from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland participated with the 445th AFE for the equipment inspection and provided the training.

The deputy program executive officer for the AFLC¬MC Agile Combat Support Directorate, Col. Carlos Quinones, was on hand to see how the inspection process works and understand the new assembly in comparison to the current MBU-19P AERP, as the six divisions under his directorate provide materiel solutions, acquisition life cycle management and support equipment, among many other functions, to meet Air Force operational needs.

Master Sgt. Diego Cancino, 445th Operations Support Squadron AFE flight chief, gave high re-marks about the new equipment compared to the current equipment being used.

“The new mask system is a breath of fresh air for both AFE as the equipment maintainers and aircrew as the end user,” Cancino said. Our old legacy system, while proven effective, was beginning to show some age, and we felt that we were overdue an update.”

Bryan McCoy, a U.S. Air Force Aircrew CBRN fielding coordinator from Aberdeen provided training to 445th AFE Airmen and gave a presentation and demonstration to 89th AS aircrew members (pilot and loadmaster). The purpose was to share information and answer questions that aircrew members might have about M69 JSAM-SA.

The AFE shop will be individually fitting each aircrew member with the M69 mask and providing training on use and wear.

“We are all really excited to implement this new mask to the field here,” Cancino said. “The support and guidance we have received from our higher headquarters leadership on implementation and fielding has also been some of the best I have ever experienced in my career.”

Story by Stacy Vaughn

445th Airlift Wing, Public Affairs, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

Posted in Air Force, CBRNE, Guest Post | 2 Comments »

Warrior East 23 – AirJam from SPO

Friday, July 7th, 2023

The Special Projects Operations AirJam is a vehicle or trailer mounted air refill system for sustained breathing apparatus.

It combines a dive rated compressor, air storage cylinders, and refill controls and can also be used to run pneumatic tools, lift bags, and other air related systems as well as refill cylinders.

Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.

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