ALERT is a multi-university Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence (COE). The center seeks to conduct transformational research, technology and educational development for effective characterization, detection, mitigation and response to the explosives-related threats facing the country and the world.
The ALERT research program is driven by inspiring challenges such as ultra-reliable screening, explosives detection at a distance, or unequivocal pre- and post-blast mitigation. These challenges have defined the four core fundamental science research thrusts: Explosives Characterization (F1), Explosives Sensors (F2), Explosive Sensor Systems (F3), and Blast Mitigation (F4). Examples of cutting-edge projects within these thrusts include: study of new improvised explosives, stand-off terahertz spectroscopy, multi-modality imaging, and blast-resistant composite materials. With the collaboration of its industrial and national laboratory partners, ALERT will also focus on transitioning research into fieldable systems such as a multi-mode suicide bomber detection system.
Researchers from the partnership bring strengths in advanced sensor design, standoff weak-target detection, signal processing, and sensor integration, explosives characterization, improvised explosive device (IED) detonator signatures, shock physics, and material science. Combined with national lab affiliates and other strategic academic, industrial, and government partners, they form a team capable of carrying out the daunting ALERT mission.
The ALERT partnership is made up of national and international academic, industrial and government partners. In addition to ALERT co-leaders Northeastern University and the University of Rhode Island, core partners include:
Boston University, California Institute of Technology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Missouri University of Science & Technology, New Mexico State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Soreq Nuclear Research Center, Texas Tech University, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, and Washington State University.
Strategic affiliates are Idaho National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts University, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Industrial and Government Affiliates are Analogic Corporation, American Science & Engineering, John Adams Innovation Institute, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Company, Siemens Corporate Research, and Textron Systems Corporation.
"Seeing Below the Surface to Advance Safety"
Carey Rappaport, ALERT's Explosive Sensor Systems Thrust Leader, is interviewed in the Nov. 16th issue of Northeastern News.
Professor Rappaport talks of his work involving ALERT, Gordon-CenSSIS and VOTERS. Read full interview...
