Block MEMS awarded Phase II contract for IARPA SILMARILS program

Block MEMS, LLC has been awarded Phase II of the Intelligence Advanced Research Programs Activity (IARPA) Program for the standoff detection of explosives and toxic chemical threats, the Marlborough, MA-based company announced January 8.

Under Phase I, Block demonstrated the ability to detect trace quantities of explosives and other threats on multiple surfaces at 1 and 5 meter standoff distances in a few seconds. The team developed a benchtop system based on quantum cascade lasers and an innovative chemical detection algorithm. The algorithm combines data processing techniques, simulations of light/material interactions, and modeling of anticipated detected signatures in order to eliminate the effect of clutter, reduce false alarm rates, and improve limits of detection.

The IARPA program is called “Standoff Illuminator for Measuring Absorbance and Reflectance Infrared Light Signatures” (SILMARILS). The contract value of the program is now at $10.7 million. The program is managed by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Dr. Anish Goyal, Block’s VP of technology and principal investigator of the SILMARILS program at Block, commented, “I am very pleased to receive the second Phase of the SILMARILS Program. The achievements of the previous Phase have taken a significant step towards the ultimate goal of the SILMARILS Program to be able to detect explosives and other chemicals at standoff distances of 30 and 50 meters. The ability to not only detect Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs), but Explosives and Pharmaceutical Based Agents (such as Fentanyl) as well at these standoff distances is addressing a strong need within the Intelligence Community, the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security.”

Dr. Petros Kotidis, Block’s CEO, said, “We are honored to receive this award and I am very proud of the accomplishment of the Block team under the SILMARILS Program. The technology being developed under this program has far reaching applications within the Security Markets, as it will eventually enable the highly sought-after capability of Standoff Detection of trace chemical threats. Ranging from protection of soft targets against explosive terrorist attacks and faster check-in lines at transportation terminals and airports, to detection of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) and better surveying of contaminated ground and surfaces, the SILMARILS capability will revolutionize the field of chemical security.”

Source: Block MEMS