The Consortium
The DIRAC consortium consists of ten partners from six countries (Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Belgium, and Finland), and includes two Universities (University of Lausanne, University of Galati), three public research centres (FRAUNHOFER Institute IPM, CNR IMM, INSTM), one private research centre (CREO), two large enterprises (EADS and Selex S,I), and two public bodies (the Belgian National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology NICC and the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation NBI). Many partners have already cooperated in the past, this leading to an ease in the exchange of information and transfer of know-how.
The partners have a very sound expertise in the tasks they have assigned, and familiarity with European programmes and with industrial research projects. Additionally, tasks are well defined, with no gap and no overlap. All this can be better appreciated in the summary table below:
| Partner | Core expertise | Key tasks in the project |
|---|---|---|
| CREO (I) | Electro-optical sensors | Coordination; development of the sensor system and of the sensing strategy |
|
FRAUNHOFER INSTITUTE IPM (DE) |
Methods of analysis based on IRAS, particularly through HF and QCL implementation | Development of the HF-IRAS module |
| CNR IMM (I) | Silicon micro-machined devices | Development of the micro-fabricated preconcentration and GC modules |
| EADS IW (DE) | Sensors and sub-assemblies for Defence&Security | Development of the sampling module and of the SI detector array |
| SELEX ES (I) | Information technologies and systems | Development of the system software and of the Human-Machine Interface |
| UNIVERSITY of LAUSANNE (CH) | Methods of analysis and profiling of illicit drugs and precursors | Definition of the test plan and benchmarking/lab-validation of the sensor system; optimisation of the sensing procedures along the sensing chain; support to the definition of the sensor outputs in view of the creation of a centralised system for data collection, interpretation, and decision making |
| UNIVERSITY of GALATI (RO) | Chemiometric methods, particularly applied to the analysis of GC-FTIR spectra of ATS material | Development of the Expert System |
| NICC (BE) | Analysis of waste and seized material, in tight cooperation with law enforcement authorities | Review of end users' needs and final assessment of system performance when compared to these needs; link between the consortium and the group of experts |
| NBI (FI) | Analysis of waste and seized material, in tight cooperation with law enforcement authorities | Review of target chemicals; support to the definition of sensing procedures |
| INSTM (I) | Supramolecular chemistry and sensors for selective trapping and detection of organic compounds | Development of the techniques and procedures that allow selective trapping of the ATS ammonium ions in the liquidphase pre-concentration device |
Involvement of end users through the Group of Experts
DIRAC establishes an external link to a Group of Experts representing customs and law enforcement authorities and local units engaged in the fight against illicit drugs. These Experts will be involved through web-forums, conference calls and special meetings.
The role of the Group of Expert is two-fold, that is:
- to provide support for the identification of real-world operational constraints and requirements for the DIRAC sensor, and to participate in the performance’s evaluation and final assessment of the system.
- to provide Security advice to make sure that no sensitive information is disclosed by the project.
Involvement of industrial partners
DIRAC involves as partners two major European players (EADS and Selex SI) in the field of Security, to ensure a very strong potential for the industrial and commercial exploitation of the results. EADS intends to build up a widespread infrastructure for security applications and to broaden its activities in drug and explosive detection. The DIRAC sensor as a whole, together with its key modules for sampling and SI sensing, match very well to the EADS portfolio.
Similarly, Selex SI has here a good opportunity to increase its portfolio of commercial products in the law enforcement market, that currently comprises both IT systems and advanced sensors and devices.
Although no SME is directly involved in the project, a strong link between DIRAC and the SMEs is ensured through FRAUNHOFER and EADS. SMEs are the main recipient of the technologies developed by FRAUNHOFER, and a big network of SME companies is traditionally supported by EADS to assume all the manufacturing tasks when a new product is brought to the market.
