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News
December 2011 | The importance of enhanced container inspections
Dangerous cargo is transported every day around the world. Authorities and the Logistics industry have adopted standards and protocols to improve the safety of those handling such materials. Unfortunately from time to time, problems arise causing loss of life and damage to the infrastructure, environment, and the economy.
Two recent cases demonstrate the need to prevent and resolve the uncertainties of not knowing what is inside a container. In one case a radioactive pellet inside a container filled with scrap metal (read article “Why Is This Cargo Container Emitting So Much Radiation? “) required the container be quarantined at the seaport of entry for one year before it was properly dealt with. In a second case, refrigerated containers exploded in two countries (read article “Explosive issue for US ports”) causing loss of life while similar containers remained unchecked for such hazard. These cases demonstrate the high costs associated with the uncertainty of cargo container contents for workers, port operators, nearby communities and shipping companies involved.
Passport Systems, Inc. has developed a full capability scanner that could be deployed not only to conduct regular Custom inspections but could be used to avoid these uncertainties during times of crisis which could otherwise force the closure of a port and consequent economic impact.
The potential closure of ports due to the threat of a dirty bomb, chemical bombs or hazardous materials or toxins in a container, arriving or already at a port’s yard, would necessitate prompt and expedient resolution of such crisis situations, if the flow of emergency, humanitarian and critical economic cargo is to be kept going. Current inspection technologies are not sufficient to unambiguously clear a container so it can be declared free of these hazards. The advantage of Passport’s scanner is that it could not only be useful to prevent the illegal transportation of hazardous materials or the introduction of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) in the supply chain on a daily basis, but also add to the resiliency of operations and countries it protects by keeping ports open. |
Events:
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June 8, 2011
Dr. William Bertozzi, Founder and Science Advisor at Passport Systems, will present a paper on Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence (NRF) at the 52nd Annual Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) conference on July 17-21, 2011 in Palm Desert California. At the same conference, Passport’s Director of Science, Dr. Korbly, will present a paper with the latest information related to the company’s technologies. |
April 27, 2011
Dr. Ledoux, President and CEO of Passport Systems, presented a paper at the 4th Annual Academic Research Initiative (ARI) Grantees Conference entitled Intelligence Radiation Sensing System (IRSS). |
April 26, 2011
Dr. Korbly, Director of Science at Passport Systems, presented a paper at the 4th Annual Academic Research Initiative (ARI) Grantees Conference entitled Passport Systems’ SNAR System for SNM Detection and Identification. |
February 13-16, 2011
Mr. Gustavo Bottan, Vice President Business Development at Passport Systems, presented a paper on new technologies for cargo inspection at the Panama Maritime X conference and exhibition in Panama City, Panama. |
November 10, 2010
Dr. Danagoulian, a Senior Physicist at Passport, will be presenting: "Prompt Neutrons from Photofission (PNPF) and Its Use in Homeland Security Applications" at the IEEE International Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security, Waltham, MA. |
November 9, 2010
Dr. Cooper, a Senior Physicist at Passport, will be presenting: “Intelligent Radiation Sensor System (IRSS) Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD)” at the 2010 IEEE International Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security, Waltham, MA at 8:00 am. |
November 9, 2010
Dr. Korbly, Passport’s Director of Science, will be presenting "Passport Systems’ Explosive Detection and Identification Techniques" at the ONR Naval S&T Partnership Conference at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Kennedy Room, Arlington VA. |
November 2-4, 2010
Mr. Gustavo Bottan, Vice President Business Development at Passport Systems, presented a paper on breakthroughs in non-intrusive cargo inspection at the World Customs Organization (WCO) Second Technology and Innovation Forum in Cairo Egypt. |
November 3, 2010
Dr. Danagoulian, a Senior Physicist at Passport, will be presenting: "Prompt
Neutrons from Photofission (PNPF) and Its Use in Homeland Security
Applications" at the 2010 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, Knoxville, TN |
July 11-15, 2010
Dr. William Bertozzi, Founder and Science Advisor at Passport Systems, presented a paper entitled Non-intrusive Isotope Detection with Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence at the INMM 51st Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. |
April 30, 2010
Gustavo Bottan, Passport’s Vice President of Business Development, will be presenting at the Maritime Security Debate and Port Security Seminar. He will be presenting at the second session starting at 11:00 am at the Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel, Singapore. |
April 12-14, 2010
Passport Systems has been invited to the 3rd annual Academic Research Initiative (ARI) Grantees Conference at The Westin Alexandria, 400 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, Virginia, hosted by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) within the Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF). This Academic Research Initiative (ARI) seeks to advance fundamental knowledge in areas relevant to nuclear and radiological detection and interdiction. Dr. Ledoux, President of Passport Systems will be giving a presentation on the Intelligent Radiation Sensor System (IRSS) program, Wednesday morning. |
November 5-6, 2009
Passport Systems will be presenting a paper at the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) first Technology and Innovation Forum in Brussels, Belgium click here for more information. |
September 30 - October 1, 2009
Gustavo Bottan, Passport’s Vice President of Business Development, will be presenting a paper entitled “Cargo Screening –What is Appropriate Inspection” at the 2nd annual conference on International Port Security sponsored by the SMi Group on September 30, 2009 at the Hilton Hotel in Barcelona, Spain. His talk is scheduled for noon on that day. |
June 1-5, 2009
Gustavo Bottan will be presenting June 1 at Port and Port Hinterland Security Seminar, Miami Florida
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May 12, 2009
Alexei Klimenko, a Senior Physicist at Passport, will be delivering a paper at the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security. The presentation will take place May 12 at the Westin Hotel in Waltham, MA |
April 6-9, 2009
Dr. Ledoux CEO of Passport Systems, will be giving a speech at the
2nd Annual Academic Research Initiative (ARI) Grantees Conference at
The Madison Hotel in Washington D.C. on Monday, April 6 through
Thursday, April 9, 2009 |
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Press Releases:
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July 11, 2011
MASSPORT witnesses demonstration of new scanner at Passport Systems, Inc. |
July 1, 2011
SNAR ATD Phase IV Award - Passport Systems, Inc. Prime Contract No. HSHQDC-08-C-00124 |
April 1, 2011
Passport Systems, Inc. has received a $1.4 million award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, for Phase III of the Intelligent Radiation Sensor Systems (IRSS) Program. |
March 30, 2011
Dr. William Bertozzi has been named the first recipient of the Outstanding Nuclear Physicist Award by Jefferson Science Associates.
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April 26, 2010
Passport Systems, Inc. has received a $1.3 million award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, for Phase II of the Intelligent Radiation Sensor Systems (IRSS) Program. |
November 16, 2009
Passport Systems, Inc. participated at the first Innovation and
Technology Forum organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) |
October 15, 2009
Passport Systems to Participate as Panel Member at the Technology and Innovation Forum Hosted by the World Customs Organization |
September 1, 2009
Passport Systems, Inc. Awarded $1 Million Contract From Department of Homeland Security For Phase I of the Intelligent Radiation Sensor Systems Program |
August 27, 2009
Passport systems visited by Massachusetts State Representative William Greene, Jr. |
May 14, 2009
High Interest in Passport Systems’ Cargo Scanning Technologies during US Department of Commerce Trade Mission to Europe |
May 1, 2009
Alexei Klimenko will be delivering a paper at the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security |
April 22, 2009
Passport Systems names Ethan Butler as Director of Programs
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April 6, 2009
Massachusetts Senators Panagiotakos and Donnelly Tour Passport Systems, Inc. New Manufacturing Facility |
April 3, 2009
Passport to attend and present at Port and Port Hinterland Security Seminar |
January 29, 2009
Massachusetts Office of Business Development and Town of Billerica witness business expansion in visit to Passport Systems, Inc. |
November 7, 2008
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas Tours Passport systems, Inc. New Manufacturing Facility |
October 8, 2008
Department of Homeland Security Awards Passport Systems, Inc. $4 Million Contract For Shielded Nuclear Alarm Resolution Program |
October 1, 2008
Professor
William Bertozzi has been chosen as the first recipient of the
Mentoring Award of the Division of Nuclear Physics of the American
Physical Society |
September 22, 2008
Passport Systems today named Dr. James Costales as Vice President of Engineering |
June 2008
Passport Systems announces addition of Mark Lester to its Board of Directors |
May 1, 2008
Passport Systems expands into 22,500-square-foot office, laboratory, manufacturing and assembly facilities |
February 1, 2008
Passport Systems signs $150,000 Phase I SBIR contract with Department of Homeland Security's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to design electron accelerator |
January 2008
Passport Systems announces addition of Leo Guthart and Nick Harvey to its Board of Directors |
January 2008
Passport Systems receives $10 million C-Round funding to complete development and begin initial marketing |
October 1, 2007
Passport Systems moves to new headquarters in North Billerica, MA |
September 2007
Passport Systems Signs $2.6 Million Contract with Department of Homeland Security to Build a Proof of Concept Scanner to Detect Shielded Nuclear Materials in Cargo Containers |
March 26, 2007
Passport Systems receives funding of $2.4 million from the Department of Homeland Security as part of a contract with a potential value of $9.8 million to implement its transformational technology for cargo container scanning |
January 31, 2007
Passport Systems continues work on the CAARS Next Generation Containerized Cargo Inspection System Program with team partner American Science and Engineering, Inc. |
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Publications:
June/July, 2011 – Cargo Security International
Risk and Continuity
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February/March, 2011 – Cargo Security International
Defining high risk
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December 20, 2010 – Cargo Security International
Going Metric |
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October 20, 2010 – Cargo Security International
When do you know?
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August 1, 2010 – Cargo Security International
Room for Improvement |
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April 12, 2010 – Cargo Security International
Tighter Links
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December 2, 2009 – Cargo Security International
Defining Terms
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June 12, 2009 – Cargo Security International
Principles of Cargo Screening Part 2
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April 2, 2009 – Cargo Security International
The Art and Science of Cargo Screening Part 1
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November 8, 2008 – The Boston Globe
NATIONAL SECURITY experts have long warned that if the United States is ever hit by a nuclear bomb, it is more likely to come in a shipping container than in a missile |
October 1, 2008 – Cargo Security International
"Passport to the future" Spotlight on cargo scanning |
September 24, 2008 – MIT Tech Talk
Anne Trafton of MIT Tech Talk features Passport Systems |
March 28, 2007 – Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology
Passport Systems pulls in $9.8M Navy contract |
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April 19, 2005 – Government Technology
DHS Awards Contract for Cargo Detection Scanner |
April 18, 2005 – Information Week
Homeland Security Department Funds Weapons Detection Research |
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