Program Profiles

Applying Recognized Economic Measures to DHS Infrastructure Sectors

NIHS has executed the contract for the Applying Recognized Economic Measures to DHS Infrastructure Sectors Project. This project will be led by Dr. Thomas Johnson with the University of Missouri.

Natural Antimicrobials to Mitigate Biological Threat Agents

Dr. Melissa Newman with the University of Kentucky is identifying effective GRAS antimicrobials that can be utilized as either a direct additive in the product formulation, as an edible bio-film/coating or as a component of the packaging process to control the growth and survival of bio-threat agents in foods. The results of this research should provide effective, safe, economical and practical solutions for food processors attempting to control the growth of several threat agents in high-risk foods.

North American Transportation Security Center

NIHS has executed the contract for the North American Transportation Security Center. This project will be led by Dr. Joe Crabtree with the University of Kentucky.

Rapidly Deployable System for Structural Stabilization

Dr. Thomas Robl with the University of Kentucky is developing a rapidly deployable system to stabilize blast damaged structures to avoid catastrophic failure. The system is composed of a delivery vehicle capable of shortcreting or grouting prepackaged fiber reinforced cements mortars and micro-aggregated concretes that are strong and rapid setting. The system will be easy to operate and robust. The sortcretes and grouts will be made from a single bag mix and water and will be simple to formulate. These  materials are based on calcium sulfoaluminate cement formulations that are capable of achieving set times in minutes and structural strength.

The Challenge

The task of assuring the security of our homeland involves protecting the citizens of the United States, the nation's critical infrastructure and key assets. This is necessary to sustain the nation's vitality against terrorism and other threats. This protection must originate at the community level. It requires discovering, developing and deploying new technology that will support first responders and key decision makers in local communities.

The Mission

NIHS' mission is to discover, develop and deploy solutions that protect and preserve the critical infrastructure of the nation's communities.

The Institute

NIHS aligns projects and research objectives with the needs and requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The strategy is to manage a distributed research enterprise that effectively transitions research and development into solutions. NIHS works with DHS to determine technology needs at the community level. Then, teams are quickly assembled from multiple universities to develop solutions to the needs.

The Strategy

Through management of the Kentucky Critical Infrastructure Protections Program (KCI), the National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS) provides an ongoing, integrated program dedicated to developing new technologies and devices. NIHS works through qualified academic institutions to accomplish the technological objectives.