SEHO (!!)
Sense Holdings and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Announce Completion
of Breakthrough Handheld Explosive Detection Device;
Ultra-Sensitive MEMS-based Demonstration Detector to Address
Multibillion-Dollar Homeland Security Markets
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Apr 18, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Sense Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:SEHO)(FWB:OUP), a developer of next-generation biometric and explosive detection security technologies for government and commercial security markets, announced today the completion of a first-generation MEMS-based explosives detection demonstrator, whose cutting-edge technology could provide airports, homeland security agencies, corporate America and other customers with superior explosive detection capabilities at a fraction of current costs.
Sense has reached a critical milestone by bringing this technology out of the laboratory with the capability for portable demonstrations. The current prototype can detect TNT and PETN. Sense and Oak Ridge have commenced pattern recognition studies for advanced sniffing sensitivity. Sense's demonstrator device is the first in a line of compact, lightweight handheld explosive detection devices based on the Company's proprietary Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology.
Sense is the sole exclusive licensee for proprietary patents and technologies developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The technology to date has been funded by several government agencies, such as the Department of Energy (DOE); Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and others.
Sense Holdings intends to market the handheld detectors to major airports, transportation infrastructure, and other significant homeland security industry markets. The airport security market, the most visible segment of end users for explosive detection equipment, has grown rapidly since the 9/11 attacks and subsequent government initiatives to tighten security requirements. In addition, Sense's marketing and deployment targets will include police departments, federal facilities and military bases, ports and international border agencies, as well as commercial sites such as stadiums and arenas.
According to industry sources, the US market for EDS devices is currently estimated to be $3.5 billion, and expected to grow significantly to 10 billion by 2010 as technologies such as this penetrate the market and prove that it can handle alerting the public of imminent danger.
Sense is developing its line of advanced detection products under a research and development partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN, which is operated by the US Department of Energy. Sense is the sole commercialization partner with exclusive rights for the manufacture, sale and distribution of MEMS-based handheld devices.
"ORNL is extremely excited that our scientific team has been able to deliver on all milestones set forth by Sense at the inception of our CRADA agreement," stated Dr. Bruce Warmack, Principal investigator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "We look forward to increased detection capabilities as we continue to develop the technology for commercialization."
"The successful completion of this demonstrator unit is a very significant milestone in Sense's program to commercialize our MEMS-based handheld explosives detector," said Dore Perler, Sense Holdings CEO. "Sense believes that this new product line represents the next step forward in the evolution of major security screening technologies." This technology can be applied to the detection of a wide range of illicit and dangerous threats, including explosives, chemical warfare agents, biological warfare agents and diverse narcotic substances.
Sense is a leading developer of advanced proprietary solutions for global Homeland Security and counterterrorism. Sense intends to commercialize several additional MEMS-based detectors utilizing its proprietary detection technology. Among its customers are the U.S. Army and U.S. Department of Corrections, in addition to some of the world's largest international companies.
About ORNL
ORNL is a multi-program science and technology laboratory managed for the U.S. Department of Energy by UT-Battelle, LLC. Scientists and engineers at ORNL conduct basic and applied research and development to create scientific knowledge and technological solutions that strengthen the nation's leadership in key areas of science; increase the availability of clean, abundant energy; restore and protect the environment; and contribute to national security. ORNL also performs other work for the Department of Energy, including isotope production, information management, and technical program management, and provides research and technical assistance to other organizations.
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