Block Engineering’s explosive detection tech grabs federal funding

By Brendan Lynch

Video Gallery

Cable, telecom companies see net neutrality battle

MHT's Jackie Noblett: Charging station plans await surge in electric vehicle sales

MHT's Efrain Viscarolasaga: Soldier tech heads to Afghanistan

Zalicus, Hydra team up on pain treatment [February 10, 2012]

Ironwood stock offering aims for $80M [February 10, 2012]

iRobot share price falls 33 percent on defense outlook [February 9, 2012]

SpaceClaim draws up a $4M new funding round [February 9, 2012]

Spectrometry technology-maker Block Engineering Inc. reports it has landed $4.4 million from the U.S. government to develop a handheld infrared spectrometer to detect explosive materials.

Block Engineering’s spectrometer uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and lasers to detect materials used in roadside bombs. The spectrometer could also be used to detect chemical weapons, and toxic industrial chemicals, the company said.

In April, Block landed $3.3 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop miniature infrared sensors. The funding was comprised of several contracts from undisclosed Department of Defense agencies. Under the deals, Marlborough-based Block will develop ultra-miniaturized infrared spectrometers. The company plans to base the technology on its microelectromechanical (MEMS) and quantum cascade laser technologies.

In October 2007, Peter Kotidis, formerly of Billerica-based MEMS-maker Axsun Technologies Inc., became CEO of Block.

Block makes infrared spectrometers, some as small as a fountain pen, for chemical detection and analysis for the military, government, commercial, and industrial sectors.

Comments

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.