National Urban Security Technology Laboratory

National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) is a United States government-owned, government-operated laboratory, part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate. The NUSTL is located in the Federal Office Building at 201 Varick Street in the Hudson Square neighborhood, Manhattan, New York.

NUSTL’s mission is “to test, evaluate, and analyze homeland security capabilities while serving as a technical authority to first responder, state, and local entities in protecting our cities.”^[1] In fulfilling this mission, the laboratory serves as a federal technical authority promoting the successful development and integration of homeland security technologies into operational end-user environments.^[2]

History

NUSTL is the Laboratory’s third name during its history, following the Health and Safety Laboratory (1953–1977) and the Environmental Measurements Laboratory (1977–2009).^[3] In 2009, the name of the lab was changed from the Environmental Measurements Laboratory (EML) to the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL).^[4]

In an interview published in 2011,^[5] the Laboratory Director Adam Hutter said the lab is “the last remaining federal facility from the Manhattan Project which is still located in Manhattan.”

A recounting of the lab’s history shows changing missions and sponsors throughout the past 60 years.^[3][6] starting from the Atomic Energy Commission^[7] followed by The Energy Research and Development Administration and then the US Department of Energy.^[8] In 2003, the lab was transferred into the Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology Directorate by Sec. 303 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.^[9]

According to reports,^[10] the transfer and integration into the Department of Homeland Security was not smooth. A Congressional Hearing into the transition of the lab was held by the House Committee on Science & Technology, Subcommittee on Investigations & Oversight on May 3, 2007 entitled “Transitioning the Environmental Measurements Laboratory at the Department of Homeland Security.” ^[11] The S&T Under Secretary “testified that EML will remain in the S&T Directorate; that it will continue to operate, supporting both DNDO and other DHS organizations; and that it will remain in its current location.” ^[12][13]

Media coverage focused on the “incredible mismanagement” of the transition and the ultimate decision to keep the lab open.^{[14][15][16][17]}

Current work

According to Congressional Authorization, “as a DHS S&T federal laboratory, NUSTL conducts research, development, testing and evaluation in order to better understand and mitigate current and future homeland security threats. The NUSTL pilot deployment programs not only transition homeland security technologies from the developing and testing phases to operational field trials, but also provide a critical scientific interface with NYPD, FDNY, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut state police, and a myriad of other local end-users in the field.”^[18]

NUSTL directly supports First Responders by testing, evaluating and assessing technologies and systems for counterterrorism, preparedness, response and recovery.^[19] Some of this work includes the System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program.^[20] and a Radiological Emergency Management System.^[21]

NUSTL receives first patent issued to DHS

The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory is the first organization within the Department of Homeland Security to be awarded a U.S. patent for an invention conceived by its employees.^[22]

According to the press release and media coverage of the patent # 7781747 entitled “Very thin dosimeter filters and low profile dosimeter encorporating the same,”^[23] dubbed the Citizen’s Dosimeter, this high-tech plastic card would be as convenient and affordable as a subway card, with the capability to measure the amount of radiation on a person or in a given area.^{[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]}

References

1. ^ National Urban Security Technology Laboratory Strategic Plan 2009-2013
2. ^ DHS | National Urban Security Technology Laboratory
3. ^ ^{a b} EML: Environmental Measurements Laboratory
4. ^ FLC Northeast Region
5. ^ Manhattan home to DHS urban security lab | Government Security News
6. ^ FLC Laboratories
7. ^ Oral Histories: Merril Eisenbud
8. ^ Energy Research and Development Administration - InfoRapid Knowledge Portal
9. ^ Homeland Security Act 2002, Public Law 107-296
10. ^ The DHS Directorate of Science and Technology: Key Issues for Congress
11. ^ C:\WORKD\I&O07\050307\34908
12. ^ AAAS - Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy
13. ^ Hearing on Neglect of Crucial Radiation Measurements Lab | The Gavel
14. ^ Official Vows to Save Radiation Lab Threatened with Closure - WNYC
15. ^ DHS May Close N.Y. Radiation-Detection Lab Despite Objections
16. ^ Key anti-terror lab stays in city - NY Daily News
17. ^ Anti-terror lab on Homeland hit list
18. ^ House Homeland Security Committee Passes Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 | Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke
19. ^ http://www.safecomprogram.gov/library/Lists/Library/Attachments/187/Interoperability_Technology_Today%20-%20Summer_2011.pdf
20. ^ Responder Knowledge Base
21. ^ Microsoft PowerPoint - holder.ppt
22. ^ DHS | DHS's First Patent: A Citizen's Dosimeter!
23. ^ US patent 7781747 
24. ^ A citizen's dosimeter, and it fits in your wallet
25. ^ PhysOrg Mobile: A citizen's dosimeter, and it fits in your wallet
26. ^ DHS180711
27. ^ Portable, Wallet-Sized Dosimeter Measures Ionizing Radiation Exposure
28. ^ Wallet-sized dosimeter would alert users to dangerous radiation levels
29. ^ Plastic Card | isssource.com
30. ^ http://techno.accylum.com/2011/06/dhs-first-patent-citizen-dosimeter.html
31. ^ Manhattan home to DHS urban security lab | Government Security News