Three Technology Winners to receive Product Development assistance from TEEX

COLLEGE
STATION – Three companies developing technologies to enhance emergency response
and homeland security are the 2017 winners of the Defense to Response Showcase.
The DoD-funded technologies will each receive $110,000 in assistance to transition
to the first responder marketplace through the Texas A&M Engineering
Extension Service (TEEX) Product Development Center.

The winning
companies are Applied Research Associates Inc., DetectaChem LLC and Southwest
Synergistic Solutions.

Product
development assistance will be provided to the companies through a $1.5 million
contract from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Domestic Preparedness Support
Initiative (DPSI). TEEX conducted a national solicitation and identification of
DoD technologies that could be transitioned and commercialized to enhance
public safety and security. Twelve finalists were invited to present their
technologies at the Defense to Response (D2R) Technology Showcase in College
Station on Sept. 18-20 and three technologies were selected by a panel of
judges. 

1.  Non-Pyrotechnic
Diversionary Device from Applied Research Associates, Inc. is intended to
overcome the shortcomings and regulations of conventional incendiary flashbang
devices. It could allow law enforcement teams to operate in environments where
pyrotechnic-based flashbang technologies are a poor choice, and could also be a
cost-effective training tool.

2.  MobileDetect
Test for Fentanyl ID from DetectaChem LLC is the next evolution of products in
the SEEKER line of handheld, automated, colorimetric detection devices. The
MobileDetect app enables automated detection of Fentanyl and Carfentanil with a
smartphone. Thee growing opioid epidemic means every police officer and first
responder needs a safe, cost-effective way to detect the presence of these
substances, so they may handle them appropriately.

3.  Southwest
Synergistic Solutions E/T (Emergency/Tactical) Light was developed at the
request of a medic who was carrying four bags of chemical lights to triage
patients. The E/T light combines four colors and infrared into one combat-proven,
lightweight, durable, illuminated marker that functions in austere
environments. Emergency responders could use the E/T light to tag team members,
patients and equipment. The light also could be used in hunting, kayaking,
fishing, back-up lighting, camping, scuba diving and boating.

“Using the
continuous product development cycle of Think-Build-Sell, the TEEX Product
Development Center will focus on prototype development, first responder
customization, and potential integration with existing first responder
systems,” said Caleb Holt, manager of the TEEX PDC.

“We will
serve as a gateway for these DoD-developed technologies to gain access to
real-world training facilities and hands-on, end-user engagement, as we work to
position them for successful market entry. We will also offer all technologies
selected for DPSI’s Technology Transfer Program to become TEEX TESTED®.”

The selected
technologies will be paired with product managers, an emergency response
subject matter expert (SME) and a business advisor. Technologies will have
testing and evaluation plans developed and executed utilizing TEEX facilities
such as Brayton Fire Training Field and Disaster City®.

For more
information about the TEEX Product Development Center or the selected D2R
companies, visit TEEXPDC.com, or read the PDC
Blog.

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