| Laramieboomerang.com |
Laramie company invents chemical detection tool
BY ANGELA BROOKS
Boomerang Staff Writer
Keith Carron possesses something that is coveted by the federal government, the famous Louvre Museum in Paris, the U.S. military and about 100 universities across the nation.
It’s not a map leading to an ancient treasure or the answer to a scientific puzzle. But for some, it’s just as valuable.
Last year, the University of Wyoming professor created an instrument called the Integrated Raman Device. It’s a highly sensitive spectrometer than can detect and identify up to 16,000 known chemicals in a matter of seconds.
The device analyzes explosives, narcotics, nerve and blister agents, weapons of mass destruction, toxic industrial chemicals and common chemicals. It enables first responders to rapidly identify unknown chemicals at the site of the incident.
“At meth labs, it could identify the chemicals in the lab and find the chemicals that are most dangerous,” Carron said. “It could also help emergency crews that are responding to an accident involving a chemical spill.”
The tool is different than others on the market in that it’s handheld. Most spectrometers are bulky, weighing as much as 22 pounds. The device invented by Carron weighs only 5 pounds.
Unlike most spectrometers, Carron’s invention can be carried directly into the contaminated area at a chemical spill. Others must remain in an uncontaminated area, at least 100 feet from the scene.
“This device allows emergency crews to act more quickly,” Carron said.
Carron started his research at UW before establishing his own company, DeltaNu, in 2002. He credits the university for helping to get the business started.
“The university paid for our patents and licensed them back to us,” Carron said. “We pay royalties to the university — they earn a percentage of the profit for each device we sell.”
The company has sold about 100 of its products, mostly to universities. The devices also are being sold to the federal government to help detect chemical warfare agents used by terrorists.
Interest in spectroscopy systems increased following the 9/11 attacks, Carron said.
“There’s a real fear out there of weapons of mass destruction,” Carron said. “This device can identify those chemicals.”
Museums also are taking an interest. The device was used by the Museum of Natural History in Paris to measure the gems and minerals used to inlay a 17th century Florentine marquetry table.
At the Louvre, it was used to identify pigments in paintings.
“Picasso always used certain paints and pigments in all of his paintings,” Carron said. “If someone wanted to find a counterfeit Picasso painting, they could use this device.”
The system can analyze substances directly through glass and clear plastics, making it more useful for museums and other groups.
So far, business is looking good. DeltaNu recently signed a supply agreement with the world’s leading provider of detection equipment, Smiths Detection, which will market the device.
“Smiths will really help our company,” said Rick Cox, vice president of sales and marketing. “It really stabilizes the company because it’s consistent business.”
DeltaNu is expanding its operations to a new 5,000-square foot building at 628 Plaza Lane. The company has seven full-time and three part-time employees, and plans to hire several more in the next year.
Carron said he expects an exponential growth in sales in the next two years.
The company is working on a new detection device that will allow emergency responders to analyze chemicals from a distance of 30 feet, Carron said.
“There’s a lot of excitement about that because it will prevent people from needing to go into a hot zone at a chemical spill,” Carron said.
For more information, visit www.deltanu.com.