The Science: Business Areas
Chemical and Biological Detection
Numerica scientists recognize that both tracking/data fusion and chemical detection try to solve some of the same key underlying problems. They might have different methodologies, and they certainly use a different language for talking about those problems, but their core problem statements are remarkably similar.
So it makes sense for Numerica to apply its proven tracking and data fusion approaches to chemical cloud detection problems if it will protect people from the ominous and emerging threat of chemical and biological warfare.
Classic models are able to show how a typical cloud will disperse if a ballistic missile with a chemical warhead makes impact. But variables such as weather and terrain might radically affect drift, causing growing uncertainty about the cloud’s diffusion pattern. Without any measurements, the only thing certain is that the level of uncertainty, and the extent of the cloud, will continue to grow. So what is Numerica’s solution? Compute estimates for the uncertainty of the cloud growth to help deploy mobile, point and stand-off sensors to the best places to collect the critical information necessary to minimize uncertainty – and to keep people out of harm’s way.
In an effort to develop a best-of-breed solution, we proactively reach out to the Chem/Bio community at large. Numerica is an original member of the Chem/Bio Identification Algorithm Benchmark (CBIAB) standards development effort. Members of Numerica’s Chemical and Biological Detection team have delivered technical talks at Georgia Tech Research Institute, and at the 2009 Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Chemical and Biological Defense Science and Technology conference. Learn about Numerica Speakers Bureau topics, such as the talk “Chemical and Biological Sensor Fusion.” This technical presentation explores the interaction between ideas commonly used in target tracking problems – such as filtering and uncertainty management – and their application to distributed chemical sensor fusion problems.