ALERT | Awareness and Localization of Explosive-Related Threats

Research

The ALERT research program is derived from a top-down understanding of societal issues related to explosives characterization, detection, mitigation, and response. These issues have been crystallized by considering a set of “Grand Challenges.”

These challenges in turn, inform and drive the ALERT research program through an organizing three-level strategy.

Grand Challenges

ALERT leadership has defined several “Grand Challenges” facing DHS and society. These challenges are used to drive the ALERT research thrusts. The Center focuses it’s research on the following challenges:

• Pervasive Pre-Blast Mitigation
• Ultra-Reliable Screening
• Greater than 100 Meter Stand-off Discovery and Assessment
• Rapid and Thorough Preparedness and Response
• Unequivocal Post-Blast Mitigation

Enabling Technology

In order to facilitate transitioning breakthroughs developed in the research environment into valuable in-the-field tools, ALERT closely collaborates with it’s national labs, industry and researchers to develop testbeds. The testbeds provide an environment for prototype development within associated operational and controlled environments.

Fundamental Science

Deriving from the “Grand Challenges”, ALERT’s basic research areas are composed of four interrelated thrusts: Explosives Characterization, Explosives Detection Sensors, Explosives Detection Sensor Systems and Blast Mitigation.

In all these thrusts, we have based our assessment of the gaps in the existing fundamental science via several mechanisms. In addition to reviewing literature on the subject, we have consulted colleagues in academia, the national labs, federally-funded research and development centers, and industry. We have attended focused research meetings on topics of relevance. These assessment activities are ongoing and continually inform our research program to ensure its relevance to the ALERT mission.