초록 ▼

Methods are provided for detecting chemical, biological and/or nuclear attacks in large areas such as cities, states and nations. The system protects the public before significant exposure occurs, utilizing a preventive approach rather than a purely reactive approach. Modeling is conducted to sele

Methods are provided for detecting chemical, biological and/or nuclear attacks in large areas such as cities, states and nations. The system protects the public before significant exposure occurs, utilizing a preventive approach rather than a purely reactive approach. Modeling is conducted to selectively position sensors for the on-going collection of real-time detection data, such as contaminant types and concentrations, weather conditions, terrain data, dispersion data and the like. The detection data is compared to background data and modeled data to detect unsafe contaminant levels and immediately activate a response system. The integrated modeling and simulation component may function to interface with real-time data from the sensors providing integrated real-time plume depiction, prediction, and verification, as well as real-time response and mitigation. This is testable and serves as an advanced redundant scientific control. The response system may implement a variety of protective measures, including, but not limited to, medical response procedures for emergency rooms and hospitals, warning alarms, instructions for personal protection, sealing of buildings, introduction of positive pressure in buildings, and introduction of clean air in confined spaces. An IT infrastructure may connect the modeling, detection and response components.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for positioning contaminant sensors in an outdoor area, the method comprising: identifying at least one potential contaminant release location within the outdoor area; modeling a contaminant dispersion pattern using the at least one contaminant release location; and

What is claimed is: 1. A method for positioning contaminant sensors in an outdoor area, the method comprising: identifying at least one potential contaminant release location within the outdoor area; modeling a contaminant dispersion pattern using the at least one contaminant release location; and positioning at least one of the contaminant sensors within the outdoor area based on the contaminant dispersion pattern. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one contaminant release location comprises a point source. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one contaminant release location comprises a line source. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining input data for the modeling from the at least one contaminant release location. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the input data comprises at least one hypothetical contaminant concentration. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the input data comprises weather conditions. 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the input data comprises wind speed and/or wind direction. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant dispersion pattern is defined by simulation data. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the simulation data comprises contaminant concentration, latitude, longitude, and elevation. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting background data that defines normal conditions in the outdoor area. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the modeling is continuous. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the modeling is periodic. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one contaminant sensor detects biological, chemical and nuclear contaminants. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one contaminant sensor is mobile. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one contaminant sensor is stationary. 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: collecting detection data from the at least one sensor; and identifying the occurrence of unsafe contaminant levels. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising responding to the occurrence of unsafe contaminant levels. 18. A method for detecting a contaminant release in an outdoor area, the method comprising: selectively positioning contaminant sensors within the outdoor area based on a modeled contaminant dispersion pattern in the outdoor area; collecting detection data from the selectively positioned contaminant sensors; and identifying the occurrence of unsafe contaminant levels. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the detection data comprises biological, chemical and/or nuclear contaminant concentrations. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the detection data comprises weather conditions. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the detection data comprises wind speed and/or wind direction. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the contaminant sensors comprise optically based sensors, infrared sensors, reagentless optical sensors, bio-chip sensors, fiber optic sensors and/or direct sensors. 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the contaminant sensors are remotely reprogrammable. 24. The method of claim 18, wherein the contaminant sensors are remotely positioned. 25. The method of claim 18, wherein the detection data is continuously collected. 26. The method of claim 18, wherein the detection data is periodically collected. 27. The method of claim 18, wherein the contaminant sensors sampling sample air, groundwater, surface water, sediment and/or soil. 28. The method of claim 18, further comprising collecting background data that defines normal conditions in the outdoor area. 29. The method of claim 18, further comprising real-time modeling of contaminant dispersion patterns. 30. The method of claim 18, wherein unsafe contaminant levels are detected by comparing the detection data to a modeled dispersion pattern. 31. The method of claim 18, wherein the unsafe contaminant levels are detected by comparing the detection data to background data that defines normal conditions in the outdoor area. 32. The method of claim 18, further comprising signaling a response system when unsafe contaminant level are identified. 33. The method of claim 18, further comprising collecting and analyzing syndromic data from humans, plants and/or animals. 34. The method of claim 18, wherein the sensors are selectively positioned by: identifying at least one potential contaminant release location within the outdoor area; and modeling a contaminant dispersion pattern using the at least one contaminant release location. 35. A method for responding to a contaminant release in an outdoor area, the method comprising: selectively positioning contaminant sensors within the outdoor area based on a modeled contaminant dispersion pattern in the outdoor area; detecting a contaminant release using the selectively placed sensors; and responding to the contaminant release upon its detection. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein a contaminant release is detected by collecting detection data from the selectively positioned contaminant sensors and identifying the occurrence of unsafe contaminant levels. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the detection data comprises biological, chemical and/or nuclear contaminant concentrations. 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the detection data comprises weather conditions. 39. The method of claim 36, wherein the detection data comprises wind speed and/or wind direction. 40. The method of claim 35, further comprising implementing protective measures immediately following the detection of a contaminant release. 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the protective measures comprise medical response procedures for emergency rooms and hospitals. 42. The method of claim 40, wherein the protective measures comprise warning alarms, instructions for personal protection and/or news updates. 43. The method of claim 40, wherein the protective measures comprise sealing of at least one building and/or room. 44. The method of claim 40, wherein the protective measures comprise operation of at least one positive pressure system. 45. The method of claim 40, wherein the protective measures comprise introduction of clean air. 46. The method of claim 40, wherein the protective measures comprise closing of travel routes. 47. The method of claim 35, further comprising communicating the detected contaminant release via an information technology infrastructure prior to the response to the contaminant release. 48. The method of claim 35, wherein the sensors are selectively positioned by: identifying at least one potential contaminant release location within the outdoor area; and modeling a contaminant dispersion pattern using the at least one contaminant release location. 49. An array of selectively positioned sensors within an outdoor area, wherein positions of the sensors are determined by: identifying at least one potential contaminant release location within the outdoor area; modeling a contaminant dispersion pattern using the at least one contaminant release location; and positioning at least one of the contaminant sensors within the outdoor area based on the contaminant dispersion pattern. 50. The array of claim 49, wherein the sensors communicate using an information technology infrastructure.