Projects

In the context of the EU Craft project (FP6), an integrated reinforcement system for brickwork walls with windows is developed. The system achieves highly increased levels of protection against explosions and is offered as a ready-made product for the retrofitting of exposed buildings in densely-built urban areas. Along with the product, engineering processes for the implementation in different configurations and loading cases are being developed.

Airport security system In the context of the research project, the development of an integrated realizable security management concept for airports is aimed at. It is planned to provide approaches for the investigation and innovation of passive building protection measures for areas of activity dealing with conventional threats. The costs/effectiveness of the planned measures are evaluated within a risk-based approach which is still to be developed.

Near real-time trace analysis of airborne chemical warfare agents and explosives Against the background of an increased threat potential by attacks with explosives or the use of chemical warfare agents, a new detection method for these substances is being developed. The near real-time analysis of highly toxic or dangerous substances in the air is carried out with a new flight-time mass spectrometer (TOF). With the help of an equally new measuring system, two different key applications for the detection of dangerous substances are being developed: (1) detection of chemical warfare agents and (2) detection of explosives in the air.

Infra-red laser supported imaging detection of explosives With this project, the cluster reacts to the hitherto impossible non-contact close and remote detection of explosives. A new mobile sensor concept in form of an applicable spectroscopic detection method based on MIR-QCL modules is being realized which detects conventional as well as novel explosives. In a second step, this method is to be expanded through the use of an MIR focal plane array camera to a detection method with downstream image processing, which can be integrated in more complex multi-sensor-platforms.

Optical remote detection of explosives The Fraunhofer initiative „OFDEX“ has accepted the technical challenge of developing measuring systems for the remote detection of explosives, which is crucial for the identification of suicide bombers, for instance. Within this cooperation, the partners involved are testing different spectroscopic methods for the remote detection of explosives over long distances (10 m to 50 m) as well as the possibility to detect explosives in the gas phase or by the adsorption on surfaces. The efforts concentrate on the MIR area on the one hand and the Raman spectroscopy in the UV wavelength range on the other hand.

Online-compatible drinking water monitoring on the basis of a biological broadband sensor with automatic image evaluation Water networks are prone to the dangers of contamination; the drinking water supply in particular is a potential target for terrorists. Part of the project is the development of an online-compatible test procedure for early detection of contaminations that combines both bioindicators and image evaluation methods. In contrast to conventional methods, this method is able to react fast and reliably. It is easy to use and inexpensive for purchase.

Risk-controlled area exploration for security tasks In view of the growing threat posed by politically or criminally motivated violence, the demand for technical devices for the early detection of impending threats is ever increasing. While there has been considerable progress in sensor technology, it is now important to avoid an inefficient flood of information. The project aims at developing a mathematical concept for intelligent data collection and its implementation in a software tool for the risk evaluation of surroundings.

Intelligent securing locating system for the locating and recovery of people buried under collapsed buildings A safe and rapid recovery of people after damaging events requires rapid alerting and coordination of special relief units, a well directed analysis of the damaging events and technical special tool equipment. ILOV investigates technical, rescue-medical, juridical and societal aspects of the rescue of people and develops solutions for this purpose.

This project aims at developing and testing a simulation platform for a virtual security portal which can be used in critical infrastructure. The sensor technology employed comprises, for example, cameras for the compilation of biometric data or pressure sensors for the registration of explosion events. The simulation platform is used for the conduction of „virtual development tests“ which are carried out for the optimization of the sensors that are to be developed.

Professional dialogue security research: information center The project maps the accompanying research in the area of the humanities, social, juridical, economic and behavioral sciences. So far, research in these areas has only been scheduled sporadically. It is the aim of SiFo- Dialog, first of all, to bring the individual professional research areas together and, in a second step, to link them to technological innovation projects. This dialogue between the different societal players – from the area of science to industry and end users and, finally, to the citizens – is an important part of the security research program. The project aims at identifying research visions and ways for the field of security research that guarantee a maximum level of security and protect the democratic values of society.
www.bmbf.de/

Subproject within the FAZIT project, www.fazit-forschung.de IT-based security systems can lead to a higher level of security, but they also pose potential threats. The project points out development trends via scenario analysis of security through IT in the year 2020. The project focuses on access and identification technologies that range from digital video surveillance to biochips and biosensors.
www.fazit-forschung.de/

Automatic retrieval of information and protection of critical infrastructure in the case of catastrophe From their respective perspectives, jurisprudence and psychology embed the process of technologization into a social context. Jurisprudential investigations solve questions concerning accountability in liability cases and a possible legal responsibility for implementation of security systems. Furthermore, they establish a report concerning the budgetary tenability of such technical systems. They inform about the legal conditions and limits of information acquisition as well as about the necessary and desired means of data protection. Psychological research is c arried out in the field of risk communication in high-alert or danger situations, which is crucial in determining behavior. Moreover, this branch develops target group and event specific information strategies of individual threat situations.

Supported by BMBF.