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Biral and Biodetection

PIBBDT technology demonstrator VeroTect Bio-detector VeroTect Bio-detector Bode short range fluorescence LIDAR Wetted Wall Cyclone


Biral's latest Biodetection developments


Biral is a technology company specialising in the design and manufacture of particle analysers, biodetectors and visibility sensors.   We have particular expertise in optical characterisation of the atmosphere of which the detection of biological components for both military and civil applications is a major part.

Biral bio-detectors have been successfully deployed in the UK Armed Forces Prototype Biological Detection System, (PBDS) for over a decade and are a key element in the upgraded Integrated Biological Detection System (IBDS). The Japanese Defence Agency has also deployed Biral’s Aspect biodetector.


To read about our major biodection developments please click on the links below or scroll down the page:



Definitions of the types of biodetection

* SPECIFIC biodetection is defined as the ability to uniquely identify a particular bacteria, toxin or virus (Biral is currently engaged in the development of the PIBBDT specific biodetector).

** GENERIC biodetection is defined as the ability to discriminate between a biological organism and a non-biological particle (Biral's VeroTect biodetector is a generic biodetector).

*** NON-SPECIFIC biodetection is defined as the ability to discriminate between interferents but not to discriminate between a biological organism and a non-biological particle. (Biral's Aspect biodetector is a non-specific biodetector).

**** STAND-OFF GENERIC biodetection is defined as the ability to discriminate between a biological organism and a non-biological particle at a distance, so providing advance warning of a biological threat. 


Further reading
There is also a further reading section at the bottom of the page featuring relevant scientific papers and articles.




PIBBDT - Portable Integrated Battlespace Biological Detection Technology

(SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATION)

PIBBDT technology demonstratorIn spite of the heavyweight title this is a project to develop a small, highly automated specific identifier for biological weapons.

Biral leads the consortium selected by the UK MoD to develop a new biodetector representing a quantum step in the technology available to the military. The current system is highly effective but requires a specialised vehicle, a dedicated supply chain and a skilled military crew to run it. The objectives for the new system were that it should be easily transportable with small non-specialist vehicles and should require only occasional attendance by maintenance crews for very simple procedures.

The cutting-edge biodetection technology is based partly on research carried out at Dstl, Porton Down and partly on independent research carried out by members of the consortium. The use of novel micro-engineering techniques together with detectors based on optical microchips has enabled a very compact system to be built. Advanced systems engineering techniques have been employed to ensure that the biodetector operates as a fully integrated unit with very high reliability.

The PIBBDT technical demonstrator has been delivered to the UK MoD and is now undergoing comprehensive trials at Dstl, Porton Down.


The VeroTect Bio-detector

(GENERIC BIODETECTION)

VeroTect Bio-detectorSince its launch the VeroTect generic bio-detector has been subject to continuous development improvements and has been tested and evaluated in a wide range of conditions. Biral's latest software development, the VeroWarn biodetection algorithms, has enhanced the bio-dector's ability to detect and classify biological agent simulants; and to differentiate simulants from potential interferent materials that may also be found in the atmospheric aerosol and which have similar characteristics.

For more product information please click VeroTect / VeroWarn

Aspect Bio-detector

(NON-SPECIFIC BIODETECTION)


VeroTect Bio-detectorThis non-specific biodetector provides information on new sources of aerosol release.  The Aspect is used for monitoring bioaerosol levels and uses ASAS (Aerosol Size And Shape) technology to simultaneously measure the size and shape of single aerosol particles in real time. The shape feature is especially useful in discriminating between battlefield man made interferents such as smokes and diesel oils.

For more product information please click Aspect biodetector





UV LIDAR technology

(STAND-OFF GENERIC BIODETECTION)

The ability to detect the presence of biological clouds at distance provides clear advantages in terms of advance warning of the threat and therefore greater safety afforded to personnel. Considerable research effort has been and is being devoted to the development of fieldable UV LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) systems. Biral's investment in this area includes active participation as members of the International Project Working Groups SG80 & SG85 in the NATO stand-off detection initiative, a study to establish the best means of achieving an early in service LIDAR capability.

In support of stand-off systems Biral also collaborated with other European organisations who are expert in military laser development and one such collaboration was with the BODE project.


BODE (Biological Optical Detection Experiment) Project

Bode short range fluorescence LIDARBiral participated in an EU funded PASR (Preparatory Action for Security Research) project to develop and characterise a short range LIDAR suitable for civil defence applications.
This two year project started in January 2007 and in July 2008 Biral delivered the optical receiver and associated detection electronics for integration into the complete system.

The consortium was led by Cilas France and there were 9 consortium members in total.


COLLECTORS for BIODETECTION SYSTEMS

Wetted Wall Cyclone

Wetted Wall CycloneThe wetted wall cyclone was originally developed as a “gentle” sampler for biological aerosols. It was found that the relatively low levels of trauma and the rapid inclusion into liquid suspension preserved the viability of micro-organisms significantly better than alternative techniques.

As a consequence of its desirable properties it was adopted as the collector of choice for biological aerosols, and has been widely developed and adopted as the collector for biological weapon (BW) detection systems. Although modern BW detectors do not require the material collected for analysis to be viable there are few techniques to match it as a means of continuously delivering a sample in aqueous suspension.

Biral have recently designed and built an integrated biological detection and identification system as a technical demonstrator for the UK MoD. A part of this has been the development of a new design of wetted wall cyclone as the collection element of the system. The objectives of the new design have been to maximise the efficiency of the system in terms of collection efficiency, concentration gain and power consumption. Significant improvements have been achieved in all three aspects of performance and so Biral have taken the decision to produce a stand-alone version of the collector which can be used in a wide variety of applications.


Further reading:

(links open in a new window)




Are you interested in any of these technologies or looking to develop new technology?

Please contact Biral to discuss your requirements.