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Awareness and Localization of Exposives-Related Threats (ALERT)

The Department of Homeland Security recently awarded a Centers of Excellence grant to Northeastern's Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (CenSSIS) to establish a center called ALERT (Awareness and Localization of Explosive-Related Threats)

As reported in The Northeastern Voice (Vol. 20, No. 8), 'the ALERT research program is driven by the needs facing homeland security today, such as the ultra-reliable screening of passengers and cargo, or the mitigation of explosive blasts so that damage to a building is minimized. Examples of ALERT's cutting-edge projects include the manufacture and study of new improvised explosives, detection at long-range using multiple methods like infrared or radar, the study of 'human factors' -- how humans interact with technology -- and neutralization of explosive devices without using traditional methods like controlled detonation.'

CenSSIS turned to the EdTech Center to develop the first phase of their web presence. The recently launched site includes information about the grant and its goals and serves as a hub for research-related collaboration with the new center's industrial and national laboratory partners. A second phase will include the development of online tools to facilitate collaboration, data collection and reporting.

The EdTech Center is excited to be part of the team that will be working on a project with such far-reaching goals.

Project Collaborators

EdTech Staff:
Deanna Brown Aho, Coop Student

Northeastern & External Partners:
Deanna Bierne