DHS Offers ML Funding

Examples of funding out there.   Note detection and classification examples.  Fast and relatively simple applications. Interesting Opportunities.

DHS Awards $2M for Small Businesses to Develop Machine Learning Tech   By U.S. Department of Homeland Security, June 28, 2021

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently awarded funding to two small businesses to develop non-contact, inexpensive machine learning training and classification technologies.

Physical Sciences Inc., Andover, Mass., and Alakai Defense Systems Inc., Largo, Fla., each received approximately $1 million in Phase II funding from the Small Business Innovation Research Program to develop technologies that can rapidly and accurately identify unknown spectrometer signals as safe or threatening.

Physical Sciences in Phase II will continue to develop its deep-learning algorithm for detection and classification of trace explosives, opioids, and narcotics on surfaces for optical spectroscopic systems. Alakai will continue development of the Agnostic Machine Learning Platform for Spectroscopy that rapidly and accurately detects trace quantities of hazardous and related chemicals from a variety of spectroscopic instruments.

"The SBIR Program provides the opportunity for S&T to partner with innovative small businesses and develop machine learning tools critical to addressing threat detection needs," says DHS Senior Official Kathryn Coulter Mitchell.

From U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Detecting Explosive materials

Can think of several projects we connected with that would have benefitted by this effort.  Depending on its efficacy.  Is supported in part by the DHS.  Department of Homeland Security.   

New sensors detect explosive materials, viral particles at part-per-quadrillion level  in TechExplore. by Neil Nachbar, University of Rhode Island

We are frequently reminded of how vulnerable our health and safety are to threats from nature or those who wish to harm us.

New sensors developed by Professor Otto Gregory, of the College of Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, and chemical engineering doctoral student Peter Ricci, are so powerful that they can detect threats at the molecular level, whether it's explosive materials, particles from a potentially deadly virus or illegal drugs entering the country.

"This is potentially life-saving technology," said Gregory. "We have detected things at the part-per-quadrillion level. That's really single molecule detection."

Broad-Based Applications

Because Gregory's sensors are so small and so powerful, there is a wide range of applications.

"The platform is broad-based, so you can apply it to lots of different venues, with lots of different end users," said Gregory.  ... ' 

DHS Promises Help for States Struggling with Digital Attacks on Critical Services

 Notable are the recent increases in ransomware, and the broad issues with Microsoft servers, and how much we depend on digital systems.   This will have to be the solution until we develop others. 

The Cybersecurity 202: DHS Official Promises Help for States Struggling with Digital Attacks on Critical Services   By The Washington Post,  March 23, 2021

State and local governments have been begging the government for more resources since they are on the front lines of a growing number of cyberattacks that lock up the computer systems of government services even more critical in a pandemic – including hospitals, schools and benefit distribution systems.

A surge in efforts by hackers holding data hostage in exchange for a fees has become a top concern for the Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity division, its acting director now says.

"Because right now, if there was a catastrophic cyber incident affecting states and they did lack the resources to address it, we would not be able to move as quickly and expeditiously as we need to respond and recover," acting Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Brandon Wales said at an event hosted by the Auburn University Center for Cyber and Homeland Security yesterday.

From The Washington Post

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