Communication and collaboration amongst projects working in the same or complementary thematic area enable them to share knowledge and experience, thus avoiding duplication and fragmentation of efforts and achieving greater impact and visibility, from which further ideas for cooperation may also arise. It is against this backdrop that the SYSTEM project has so far developed synergies with the following projects – mainly funded under FP7 and Horizon 2020 programmes – according to their common ground. Due to the wide scope of SYSTEM, three clusters have been set up mirroring the main areas of intervention and goals each of them expects to achieve.

Sharing information for common research interests

Showcasing technologies developed by the different projects

“BOmb factory detection by Networks of Advanced Sensors” (BONAS) is a closed 3-year project funded under FP7 programme aiming at designing, developing and testing a novel wireless sensors network for detecting traces of precursors used in IED production (particulates, gases and/or waterborne) present in the environment surrounding the vicinity of a “bomb factory”. Such a network features a variety of sensing devices (in-situ and remote), that jointly provide broad chemical spread and low false alarm rates through an expert system management of the data collected. 

“Sensor system for detection of criminal chemical substances” (CRIM-TRACK) is a closed 3-year project funded under FP7 programme aiming at demonstrating a working sensing device that can be developed into a portable, miniaturised, automated, rapid, low cost, highly sensitive, and simple “sniffer” and detection unit based on a disposable micro-colorimetric chip. The unit can be used for identification of a wide variety of illegal drugs, drug precursors and home-made explosives that can be easily exploited by custom officers, police and other authorities in their fight against trafficking of illegal drugs and drug precursors. Upon its end in 2017, the project entered in a follow-up funded by the Danish Ministry of Defence – Acquisition and Logistics Organisation, “Portable Sniffer Detection of Improvised Explosives” (PORDEX), which is now working in improving the system for a more effective detection of homemade explosives and their precursors.

“rapid screening and identification of illegal Drugs by IR Absorption spectroscopy and gas Chromatography” (DIRAC) is a closed 4-year project funded under FP7 programme aiming at developing an advanced sensor system combining miniaturised Gas Chromatography (GC) as its key chemical separation tool, and Hollow-Fiber-based Infra Red Absorption Spectroscopy (HF-IRAS) as its key analytical tool to recognise and detect illicit drugs, key precursors and potential derivatives. The final project output has been to develop a GC-IRAS fully functional sensor prototype from sampling to read out that features hand-portability and prompt response – for field operation – and is capable to perform both bulk analysis and trace analysis with nano-gram sensitivity. It integrates new solutions for sample collection, separation and treatment allowing to analyse substances in different physical state and with different chemical characteristics to be primarily used by customs officers for controls at the EU external frontiers and by law enforcement personnel for intra-Community checks.

Networking with relevant stakeholders

Supporting relevant stakeholders by fulfilling their needs

“Security of Explosives pan-European Specialists Network” (EXERTER) is an ongoing 5-year project funded under Horizon 2020 seeking to connect practitioners coming from Law Enforcement Agencies and Military Institutes, Governmental and Civilian Research Institutes, Academia and Standards Organisations into a pan-European network of explosives specialists. It aims at identifying and promoting innovative methodologies, tools and technologies offering solutions in the fight against terrorism and serious crime, i.e. enhancing the overall Security of Explosives. Each year, a scenario based on past events is identified and discussed by the Network to facilitate the identification of capability gaps along different counter-terrorist phases associated with PREVENT, DETECT, MITIGATE and REACT, with the aim of  providing practitioners with the operative knowledge and tools for enhancing the security of societies. 

Sharing expertise to prepare a future CWA

Raising awareness on standardisation in EU projects

“CBRNE Detection in Containers” (COSMIC) is an ongoing 3-year project funded under Horizon 2020 aiming at  bridging the major security gap for fast inspection of large number of containers and vehicles in sea port and in crossing borders for CBRNE materials. COSMIC’s technology can be adapted also to air containers. The project proposes a novel technological approach for the detection of CBRNE materials hidden in shipping containers. It includes the research, design and implementation of a three stage (primary, secondary, focused manual inspection) detection system using new set of innovative sensors.

“STANDARDS, INNOVATION AND RESEARCH FOR SECURITY” (STAIR4SECURITY) is an ongoing 2-year project funded under Horizon 2020 aiming to create a policy making / practitioner driven platform as single entry point for information on the security sector stemming primarily from research activities in order to allow better governance of standardisation needs in the Disaster Resilience and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNe) sectors to be realised. In addition to enabling its users to network each other and raise awareness of relevant activities from the demand and supplier sides, the platform also ensures them to digest the input received, align the gaps with the policy priorities to provide recommendations on standardisation needs and the relevant standardisation body to address them properly. It should also support the initial steps to launch the standardisation activities in, for example, helping in the drafting of the standardisation mandate or proposed work item.