MISSION AND ORGANIZATION
ALERT seeks to conduct transformational research, develop technology, and provide educational development to improve effective characterization, detection, mitigation, and response to explosives-related threats facing the country and the world. A multi-university, Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence (COE), the ALERT Center is a partnership made up of nati
onal and international academic, industrial, and government entities. Researchers in this partnership bring strengths in advanced sensor design, standoff weak-target detection, signal processing, sensor integration, explosives characterization, improvised explosive device (IED) detonator signatures, shock physics, and material science. This expertise, combined with resources from national lab affiliates and other industrial and government partners, form a team capable of carrying out the daunting ALERT mission. RESEARCH DRIVEN BY REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES
Providing ultra-reliable screening, improving the ability to detect explosives at a distance, and providing seamless transition of research to the field are among the real-world challenges the Center looks to impact. These challenges have defined our four fundamental science research thrusts:
- Characterization & Elimination of Illicit Explosives (Thrust 1)
- Trace & V***r Sensors (Thrust 2)
- Bulk Sensors & Sensor Systems (Thrust 3)
- Video Analytics & Signature Analysis (Thrust 4)
OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
The ALERT Education Program is geared toward reaching students at multiple stages of their education, from K-12 to community college, undergraduate, and graduate programs. ALERT also offers courses and training opportunities for professionals in the homeland security workforce. Some of the ALERT education programs include the Science and Engineering Workforce Development (SEWDP) Program, a scholarship program for undergraduate and graduate students; the ALERT Scholars Program, which engages freshmen engineering students at Northeastern University; the ALERT REU program for undergraduates to engage in summer research; the ALERT Student Leadership Council, which involves ALERT students in the planning of professional development events and activities; and several regular short courses taught at the University of Rhode Island for DHS-related professionals. TRANSITIONING RESEARCH TO REALITY
ALERT partners closely with industry in order to transition research into fieldable systems. The Center accomplishes this by working closely with partners and researchers to identify opportunities, pursuing joint proposals, and collaborative conferences like the Advanced Development for Security Applications (ADSA) workshops. By seamlessly linking industry, government and academic partners, ALERT creates powerful collaborations that successfully transition technology. A HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
The Homeland Security Centers of Excellence bring together leading experts and researchers to conduct multidisciplinary research and education for homeland security solutions. The centers are authorized by Congress and chosen by the Department’s Science & Technology Directorate through a competitive selection process. Each center is led by a university in collaboration with partners from other institutions, agencies, laboratories, think tanks, and the private sector. For more details on the ALERT Center and its work, visit the ALERT website listed on this page.
