Demonstration at SCF focuses on product that detects explosives
November 14, 2018TRACE EYE-D NEWS
New patent to save lives, improve mass transit security, public events
April 20, 2017
TAMPA Fla. — Trace Eye-D, a technology research and development startup in Florida, filed a patent application revealing a new technology late last year, which is designed to detect and identify explosive compounds quickly and easily.
The new technology was developed over the course of two years at the company’s Sarasota, Florida patentfacility and is capable of chemically detecting the presence or absence of an explosive substance on a surface within seconds.
Leaders from Trace Eye-D believe the technology is a significant breakthrough in the fight against domestic terrorism because it gives law enforcement and security personnel the ability to rapidly screen areas or individuals for explosive materials, without the need for additional equipment.
“There is a major need for convenient and accurate on-site detection systems that are able to rapidly detect explosive compounds and their precursors,” said Chris Baden, CEO of Trace Eye-D. “The technology we have created is a critical step forward and when adopted can create an extra layer of security for systems already in place.”
Researchers from Trace Eye-D believe the new detection technology is ideal for use by security screeners at airports, public transit hubs, entertainment and sports venues, and any public or private venue where there may be a threat.
Photo: WFLA
Photo: WFLA
“We take nothing from the legacy technology that evolved. It has been very good and very effective, but there have been some drawbacks to it and one of those is the safety of the users,” said Trace Eye-D CEO Chris Baden. “Something that was pointed out to us by the Global Forensics Justice Center attached to the Florida International University was that there is a safety risk to first responders and law-enforcement particularly. They use these wet chemistry kits because that contain glass ampules, that when crushed when operating the product, can actually shear the vinyl bag and cut the officer.”
Trace Eye-D’s product doesn’t have that risk. It’s something a local law enforcement agency says is a big bonus when using the product in the field.
“The less we have to handle things, the better,” said Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler. “A lot of times, illegal narcotics – when there is fentanyl or something else, it can be absorbed through the skin, so it puts the first responder at risk. Our officers try to use rubber gloves when handling product, but the Trace Eye-D being a wipe — first of all, we can detect trace amounts of narcotics and the other thing is it is a little less handling of potentially hazardous materials for our officers.”
Palmetto PD has been participating in field testing of the products throughout this year and so far, have seen extremely promising results.
“The Trace Eye-D product has been entirely, 100% consistent with the established product we use. I think moving forward down the road, that we are going to be using the Trace Eye-D product. We continue to do the field testing now, but we are excited about it and I think I’m especially excited about it because it is actually a local company and a local CEO and a lot of his staff and his scientists are all local people,” said Chief Tyler.
“Palmetto was a great start. They were willing to cooperate and support us in a limited trial. We are very excited about getting this rolled out in our own backyard. Florida is our focus right now, with emphasis on the 12th Circuit,” said Baden.
