ECBC Launches Formal Collaboration with General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. ― The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), the premier national resource for chemical and biological defense, announced the establishment of a Patent License Agreement (PLA) and a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products ― a leading producer of biological and chemical detection systems for military and commercial applications ― during a signing ceremony Monday, Nov. 9.
The agreements will pave the way for collaboration between the federal government and industry to further develop and commercialize a low-cost, low-power, lightweight technology that utilizes semiconductor ultraviolet optical sources for reagentless detection of biological aerosols called the Tactical Biological Detector (TAC-BIO).
“The commercialization of the TAC-BIO will make the device widely available to detect biological warfare threat agents to protect warfighters on the battlefield, first responders and civilians at home,” said ECBC Technical Director Rick Decker during the ceremony held in the Center’s Berger Auditorium. “Collaboration between ECBC and General Dynamics will get this government-created innovation to the end-user much faster than we can using traditional means.”
The TAC-BIO was invented by a team of scientists and engineers led by David Sickenberger, ECBC’s Research & Technology Directorate.
“When we initially began the TAC-BIO program seven years ago, the goal was to exploit semiconductor ultraviolet optical sources being developed by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency as the enabling means of achieving a revolutionary new bio detection device
that required no consumables and maintained a credible core detection capability,” said Sickenberger. “Today, we have achieved these goals and created a prototype that is ready
for transition to the industrial sector.”
The PLA and CRADA between ECBC and General Dynamics leverage the strengths of both organizations across a range of disciplines and present a valuable opportunity for ECBC to apply its patents to the development of a mass-producible, handheld device for public consumption.
“On behalf of General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, we look forward to our partnership with ECBC and believe that this collaboration fully embodies the spirit and intent of the U.S. legislation and Department of Defense directives for technology transfer,” said General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products Detection Programs Director Brian Kenney.
Over the next two to three years ECBC and GDATP will mutually continue to support research and development efforts of the TAC-BIO to bring the technology to commercialization. To show its dedication to the program, General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has committed a significant investment in internal research and development for the detector.
ECBC Participates in Edgewood Business Showcase and Groundbreaking Ceremony
As a part of the ongoing effort to serve and contribute to the surrounding community, leaders and employees of the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) participated in the Edgewood Business Showcase and Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Edgewood Technical Center on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The tech center, constructed at the site of the former Ames department store on Pulaski Highway, will initially offer about 50,000 square-feet of space to be enjoyed by the more than 28,000 of Edgewood’s residents. The project was developed by the Morris Weinman Company with help from Architectural Design Works (ADW) and will be managed by RKS Commercial Realty when it is complete.
“What we have in front of us today epitomizes the words ‘smart growth’,” said ADW president Paul Thompson.
Hosted by Harford County Executive David Craig and James Richardson, director of the Harford County Office of Economic Development, the event attracted more than 30 Edgewood businesses as well as state and local officials such as Sen. Nancy Jacobs (R-Md.), COL Andrew Nelson, deputy garrison commander for transformation at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Del. Mary Dulaney-James (D-Cecil & Harford counties), Del. B. Daniel Riley (D-Cecil & Harford counties,) Harford County Sheriff Jesse Bane, Harford County Councilman Dion Guthrie and Harford County Government Public Affairs Officer Bob Thomas.
“It is simply great that we are seeing improvements across the U.S. Route 40 corridor. It’s nice that we can recycle an old shopping center into new offices and retail stores,” said Harford County Chamber of Commerce president Bill Seccurro.
The day’s conversations revolved around the relationship between the opportunities brought to the area by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission and Harford County’s plans for redevelopment and revitalization of the Edgewood area.
“At APG, we are pleased to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Edgewood and Harford County,” Nelson said..
The Business Showcase gave participants the opportunity to display their work, sample some cuisine and network with other Edgewood community members and business owners.
ECBC hosted a booth at the event and introduced the participants to the Center’s vast array of capabilities and resources. ECBC Military Deputy to the Technical Director LTC Victor Nakano and the Center’s program manager for community and educational outreach Mary Doak both greeted and spoke with guests while Engineering Directorate Advanced Design and Manufacturing division’s Mark Colgan spotlighted some of ECBC’s most cutting-edge technologies, such as a robotic detection system and multiple examples of high end rapid prototyping and plastic injection molding.
“The Edgewood Business Showcase and Groundbreaking was excellent ― an opportunity to learn and to share,” said ECBC Director of Program Integration Joe Wienand. “Both participants and attendees walked away with a better understanding of their community, the businesses that function within them and the opportunity to publicize their own capabilities.”
ECBC Senior Leaders Help Customer Break Ground On New Facility
U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) Technical Director Rick Decker, at far right, participates in the Oct. 28 groundbreaking ceremony for the new Non-Medical Chemical and Biological Defense Facility to be built on the Edgewood area campus. ECBC's Director of Program Integration Joseph Wienand and Director of Engineering Alvin "AJay" Thornton were also in attendance. Once complete, the building located on the corner of Magnolia and Skully roads, will become the headquarters for the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense.
Shovels in hand, Decker was joined in the ceremonial groundbreaking by, from right to left, COL Orlando W. Ortiz, APG Commander; LTC John J. Osborn, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore Deputy District Engineer; COL Michael O'Keefe, Deputy Director, Chemical and Biological Technologies Directorate, DTRA; BG Jess A. Scarbrough, Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical and Biological Defense; LT. COL Ronald Jobo, U.S. Air Force Commander of the 649th Aeronautical Systems Squadron.
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