Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT)
ALERT seeks to conduct transformational research, technology, and educational development for effective characterization, detection, mitigation, and response to the explosives-related threats facing the country and the world.
ALERT is an Emeritus Center of Excellence and was funded by the Department of Homeland Security.
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.
The ALERT research program is driven by inspiring challenges, providing ultra-reliable screening, improving the ability to detect explosives at a distance, and providing a seamless transition of research to the field are among the real-world challenges the center looks to impact. These challenges have defined our four core fundamental science research thrusts:
- Characterization & Elimination of Illicit Explosives (Thrust 1)
- Trace & Vapor Sensors (Thrust 2)
- Bulk Sensors & Sensor Systems (Thrust 3)
- Video Analytics & Signature Analysis (Thrust 4)
For more information contact:
rappaport@ece.northeastern.edu
Electromagnetics, antennas, computational modeling, imaging radar hardware and alogorithms, bioelectromagnetic sensing and treatment
Recent News
First Year Engineering Students Work with Client on Real-World Project
A group of first-year engineering students in Boston designed and built a set of portable rehabilitation stairs to address a real-world challenge of a hospital in Maine, as part of a collaboration with Northeastern’s Roux Institute in Portland, Maine, for their Cornerstone course project.
Incredible Co-op, Research, and Global Experiences Make Dreams a Reality
Picture caption: Elizabeth Wig, E’20, electrical engineering, and ME’20, electrical and computer engineering, had a co-op experience at the NASA working at both the Armstrong Flight Research Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Northeastern alumna and current Stanford University PhD student Elizabeth Wig’s journey is a testament to the unlimited opportunities for growth and self-betterment […]