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Nano-Technology's Potential for Addressing Chemical and Biological
Defense and Homeland Security Needs Unveiled at DOD/DHS Workshop Hosted by
Unconventional Concepts, Inc.
ARLINGTON, Va., Oct 20, 2005 -- ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 20 - A workshop on "Nano-Technology
Applications for Chemical and Biological Defense and Homeland Security" was
held late September and was well attended by technical experts from both
government and industry.
The event focused on basic science and technology issues. It was hosted by
Unconventional Concepts, Inc.(UCI(R)) and sponsored by the Office of the
Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological
Defense (DATSD/CBD), the US Army National Protection Center (NPC), and the
Department of Homeland Security/Science & Technology Directorate. The goals
of the workshop were to determine research areas where funding is being
applied, the technical challenges associated with the science, their
applicability to defense and homeland security needs, and to obtain a better
understanding of the potential safety issues and concerns related to
fielding nano-materials in system-level capabilities.
Michael J. Hopmeier, workshop Chairman and President of UCI(R), stated "Nano-research
has yielded a broad array of enabling technologies, but increased federal
investment is needed to deliver next-generation capabilities that address
defensive chemical and biological specific user needs and applications.
Unfortunately, little commercial incentive exists for the private sector to
develop new chemical and biological military nano-based products, similar to
the biotechnology and pharmacology industry."
Hopmeier continued, "Additional funding is required to determine the health
effects associated with integrating nano-particles into fabric materials,
decontamination and remediation solutions, filters, and medical therapeutics
and drug delivery capabilities."
"The use of nano-technology in the next-generation chemical and biological
systems and equipment has the potential to significantly enhance the
Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security future
defensive tool kit. However, new technical challenges are presented and need
to be addressed in the filtering of masks and the decontamination of nano-sized
particles, their potential health effects, and manufacturability," Hopmeier
concluded.
Follow-on workshops are planned over the next six to nine months. The
findings and recommended research activities will be documented in a
Departments of Defense and Homeland Security Nano-technology Research
Investment Strategy Plan slated for publication in the Fall of 2006.
Unconventional Concepts, Inc. is a Mary Esther, Florida-based professional
engineering and scientific consulting firm specializing in national security
affairs and emergency response operations. UCI(R) provides research,
organization and technology integration services in a variety of areas,
including chemical/biological incident response, bio-medical technology
transition, crisis response and management, and integrated federal/civilian
disaster response.
SOURCE Unconventional Concepts Inc.
Michael Hopmeier, Unconventional Concepts, +1-703-797-4562, or
hopmeier@unconventional-inc.com
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