URI to plan new center for homeland security

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – The University of Rhode Island will receive a grant of up to $2 million a year, over a period of four to six years, for a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Explosives Detection, Mitigation and Response.
URI will lead the project with Northeastern University in Boston, which will also be receiving up to $2 million per year for four to six years.
The new center will evaluate the risks, costs, and consequences of terrorism, and develop decision-support technologies, tools and advanced methods tools to protect the nation.
Its primary focus will be to detect improvised explosive devices; enhance aviation cargo security; provide next-generation baggage screening; detect liquid explosives; and enhance suspicious passenger identification.
The selection of a new center was part of a highly competitive grant process managed by the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate.
The center at URI and Northeastern is one of five new centers planned across the country.
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