ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) was awarded the Army Laboratory of the Year Award for 2007 at an awards ceremony Sunday. ECBC received the Laboratory of the Year designation in the small development laboratory category of the annual award program that evaluates Army laboratories on their accomplishments in research, development, management, and on contributions to the Global War on Terrorism.
"The enormous technical ability of ECBC's scientists, engineers and other specialists was the most significant factor in ECBC winning this award this year," said Dr. Joe Corriveau , acting Director for Research and Technology at ECBC, who accepted the award at a ceremony in Crystal City, VA.
The ECBC research accomplishment this year was for significant advances in biological standoff detection. "Indeed, advances in algorithm development, technology optimization, and test methodologies at ECBC have allowed scientists to demonstrate for the first time ever the ability for detect-to-warn standoff biological aerosol identification," he said.
Development of an on-the-move surface contamination detection capability based on Raman spectroscopy was nominated as ECBC's technology accomplishment. This work, which is taking place under the Chemical Biological Radiological Unmanned Ground Reconnaissance program will allow warfighters to conduct reconnaissance activities at operational tempo, a capability that has not been possible in the past.
The top ECBC management accomplishment was the successful partnership between DHS, FBI and ECBC in designing and constructing the CBR Sample Receipt Facility. This accomplishment resonated with the Army Laboratory Assessment Group, which is charged with choosing each year's winners, because of the interagency collaboration and project cost savings.
"That we've been able to bring together three very different agencies to collaborate on one mission under one roof is an enormous achievement," said Mr. Jim Zarzycki , Technical Director of Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. "This makes it possible for law enforcement and military units to coordinate their investigative efforts. And by sharing a facility instead of building two, we are being good stewards of taxpayer dollars."
The development of a test bed for biological detectors in support of the Department of Homeland Security's BioWatch program was submitted as ECBC's contribution to the Global War on Terrorism. The test bed will provide vital support to the development of the next generation biological detection capability for our homeland.
"Overall, our contributions to the warfighter are significant year after year," said Zarzycki. "I am pleased that the Army Laboratory Assessment Panel agreed. The scientists, engineers and specialists at ECBC are doing incredible work. This award recognizes and honors that contribution," he said.
For additional information, call Joan Michel , 410-436-3610. Additional information about ECBC and photographs of each of the winning technologies are available at http://www.ecbc.army.mil/pr/index.htm.
ECBC is the Army's principal research and development center for chemical and biological defense technology, engineering and services. ECBC has achieved major technological advances for national defense, civilian needs and industrial competitiveness, with a long and distinguished history of providing the Armed Forces with quality systems and outstanding customer service. ECBC is a US Army Research and Development Command laboratory located at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. For more information about the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, please visit our Web site at http://www.ecbc.army.mil or call (410) 436-3610.
SOURCE Edgewood Chemical Biological Center
