Next generation electronic nose technology
QualSec Inc., a developer of electronic olfactory sensory technology, has developed NanoNose, the next generation of its electronic nose threat detection devices. Utilising its patent pending ROder technology, QualSec is creating a low cost handheld electronic device that can detect explosives, communicable diseases and hazardous materials in real time with instant read-out of the threat and its level of concentration in ambient air.
Unlike earlier efforts at electronic nose developments, QualSec does not require extensive training for the use of its device, nor is it limited by long testing cycles or the use of delicate organic elements in its testing device. QualSec's target price for its device is the two to three thousand dollar range, which is substantially lower than its potential competitors. QualSec (pinkslips-OTC: QLSC) is a development stage company. [Editor’s note: A pinkslip OTC company is a private company that trades on the over-the-counter market and typically has little trading volume, and doesn’t have the same requirements as it would if it was listed on a national exchange, such as filing reports or audited financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission.]
Its operations are led by Dr. Arden A. Kelton, who received his doctorate in medical physics from U.C.L.A. in 1969 and has been a biotechnology entrepreneur for more than 25 years. During 2002 and 2003, Dr. Kelton served as CEO for Osprey Data Systems Corp., a company that was developing an electronic nose based on thin film resonance technology.
If you can’t succeed first time around, try again
Due to lack of funding and the death of a key manager, Osprey eventually abandoned its electronic nose project. During his time with Osprey, Dr. Kelton gained knowledge of the potential business opportunities for an advanced electronic nose as well as the several problems inherent in the many different technical approaches being pursued by several academic institutions, government agencies, and industries.
During 2005 and 2006, Dr. Kelton developed a general concept that could avoid many of the problems inherent in other approaches. The concept is based on his earlier work with centrifugal analysers. This new approach, dubbed ROder technology, became the basis for the formation of QualSec Inc. by Joel Hand and Dr. Kelton in November 2006.
Leveraging from your guanxi
In order to actualise the approach and solve the remaining technical obstacles, QualSec subcontracted development to NAC, a technology development company owned and operated by Dr. Kevin Pegg, who had previously worked with Dr. Kelton on other hi-tech developments by entrepreneurial biotech companies. Currently teaching biotechnology classes at the Advanced Technology Center in Jacksonville, part of the University of Florida, Dr. Kevin Pegg has successfully accomplished numerous technology projects under contracts to federal and state agencies as well as major industries.
Qualsec’s ROder technology allows devices to operate with four discrete functions:
- Air circulation over the testing substrate
- Interaction of the testing compound with airborne chemicals
- Analysis of the test results
- Communication of the results to the user
Devices using ROder have applications in many high volume markets including homeland defense, law enforcement, health care, environmental, agricultural, petrochemical, and food industries.
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© Chilli Publishing Ltd 2008 |
16 JUN 2008 |
