Smiths Detection Announces University of Maryland, Baltimore County Successfully Deploys BioFlash for Airborne Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection and security screening technologies, today announces that its BioFlash® Biological Identifier has been successfully used by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) to identify airborne SARS-CoV-2 inside their campus in real-time at the point of testing.
As part of their mitigation strategy for COVID-19, UMBC’s Environmental Safety and Health (ESH) team have been using BioFlash across the campus. In one instance, the airborne detector was deployed to help the campus community safely re-enter a research facility after a person working there tested positive. After multiple tests performed on the BioFlash ruled-out the presence of airborne SARS-CoV-2, the ESH team deemed the facility contamination-free, allowing staff and students to safely return and research to continue without significant pause.
In a separate instance, in a collaborative effort with the UMBC Sports Medicine Department, a test conducted in a team locker room resulted in a positive environmental detection on the BioFlash. This detection ultimately led UMBC to test all people present for COVID-19, identifying three infected individuals. This helped prevent further spread of the virus.
“We are delighted to see what we believe is a world-first for our technology. BioFlash, with its real-time results capability, has been used by UMBC in a real-world setting to successfully confirm the presence or absence of COVID-19 in the air and inform health and safety protocols,” said Smiths Detection President Roland Carter. “We have been working incredibly hard to provide a tool that will support the ongoing fight against COVID-19, and these applications demonstrate the role BioFlash can play in virus mitigation strategies.”
“The BioFlash system has helped us to prevent the spread of the virus in our on-campus community. We are also pleased that this tool to protect the health and safety of people on our campus is easy to use and environmentally friendly,” said Lynne Schaefer, UMBC Vice President for Administration and Finance. “We will be using this solution as part of a larger mitigation strategy, alongside other important tools like sanitation, masks, regular testing, physical distancing, and symptom monitoring.”
BioFlash works by collecting and analysing air samples using sensitive, selective and rapid detection technology to identify the presence of dangerous pathogens onsite without the need to involve a laboratory. Following successful internal testing, Smiths Detection has been engaged in various external studies to further verify the SARS-CoV-2 detection capability, including working with the USAMRIID, which verified that BioFlash could identify SARS-CoV-2 in a laboratory setting.
The BioFlash Biological Identifier is available now.
ENDS
About BioFlash Biological Identifier
The BioFlash® Biological Identifier is a bio-aerosol collection and identification system that provides rapid, sensitive and specific identification of various pathogens including viruses, toxins and bacteria. The BioFlash has been commercially available for over 10 years and is currently used by US government and commercial clients for a number of applications.
About Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group, is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports and borders, defence and urban security markets. Our experience and history across more than 40 years at the frontline enables us to deliver the solutions needed to protect society from the threat and illegal passage of explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals and narcotics.
For more information visit http://www.smithsdetection.com/
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210413005091/en/
Contact information
FTI Consulting:
Tom Hufton/Georgina Reeves
sc.smithsdetection@fticonsulting.com
+44 (0)20 3727 1000
Smiths Detection:
Sophie Mills
Communications Manager
sophie.mills@smithsdetection.com
+ 44 (0)7384236474
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Thales Launches AI Security Fabric, Providing AI Runtime Security for Agentic AI and LLM-Powered Applications11.12.2025 10:00:00 EET | Press release
AI is one of the fastest-growing technologies in the history of modern business, with the ability to revolutionize industries, optimize operations, and drive innovation, but it is also introducing security gaps, risks, and vulnerabilities. According to McKinsey, 78% of organizations are using AI in at least one business function, up from 55% two years ago. As a result, 73% of them are investing in AI-specific security tools, either with new or existing budgets, according to the 2025 Thales Data Threat Report. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251211710650/en/ Thales AI Security Fabric Thales is introducing the first foundational capabilities of its AI Security Fabric to protect the core and edge of enterprises' AI ecosystems. Thales AI Security Fabric – Safeguarding LLM-Powered Apps, Data, and Identities With Thales AI Security Fabric, organizations will be able to: Unlock AI-driven growth securely: Maximize AI’
Interactive Brokers Adds Access to Brazil’s B3 Exchange11.12.2025 10:00:00 EET | Press release
Interactive Brokers (Nasdaq: IBKR), an automated global electronic broker, today announced that eligible clients outside of Brazil can now trade Brazilian equities through B3, the Brazil Stock Exchange. This expansion gives investors more ways to access emerging market opportunities across Latin America alongside global stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds, and more through a single unified platform. The B3 Exchange is one of the most active and liquid markets in the region. With this addition, investors will have direct access to trade Brazilian equities, plus over 160 markets worldwide using Interactive Brokers’ powerful trading platforms and tools. “Global investors need seamless access to diverse markets to stay competitive,” said Milan Galik, Chief Executive Officer of Interactive Brokers. “By adding Brazil’s B3 Exchange, we’re giving our clients efficient, low-cost access to one of the world’s most dynamic emerging economies through our unified global platform.” Int
Kyowa Kirin Announces Proposed Appointment of Abdul Mullick to President and Chief Executive Officer, While Former CEO Masashi Miyamoto to Remain Chairman11.12.2025 09:30:00 EET | Press release
Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (TSE:4151, Kyowa Kirin), a Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced the Board of Directors’ decision to appoint Abdul Mullick, Ph.D., currently President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The appointment will become effective March 2026 following the conclusion of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. As Mullick takes on the role of President and CEO for Kyowa Kirin, current CEO Masashi Miyamoto, Ph.D., remains Chairman. In March 2025, shareholders approved a dual CEO / COO model, with Mullick appointed to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, partnering with Miyamoto to lead the global organisation. The model provided a transition period for Mullick to gain greater insights and understanding of the Japanese company, as the first non-Japanese CEO in the company’s long history. By reverting to the single leader model under Mullick in 2026, Kyowa Kirin aims
Tosi solmi merkittävän sopimuksen johtavan midstream-yhtiön EPIC Cruden kanssa11.12.2025 09:07:00 EET | Tiedote
OT-kyberturvallisuusalustojen globaali johtaja Tosi vahvistaa toimintaansa Yhdysvalloissa, ja yhtiö on solminut merkittävän tilaussopimuksen raakaöljyn kuljetuspalveluja tarjoavan johtavan midstream-toimijan EPIC Cruden kanssa. Aiemmin tänä vuonna solmittu arvoltaan kuusinumeroinen tilaussopimus on Tosin historian suurin. Sopimus vahvistaa merkittävästi Tosin asemaa öljy- ja kaasuteollisuudessa. Sopimus kattaa OT-verkkoinfrastruktuurin kokonaisvaltaisen korvaamisen uudella ratkaisulla sekä jatkuvan ylläpidon EPIC Cruden laaja-alaisissa toiminnoissa. EPIC Crudella on eri puolilla Texasia putkistoa 800 mailin pituudelta yhdistäen Delawaren, Midlandin ja Eagle Fordin öljykentät Meksikonlahden markkinoihin. EPIC Crude valitsi liiketoimintansa muuttuessa Tosin toimittamaan nopean, skaalautuvan ja kustannustehokkaan ratkaisun yhtiön nykyisen kuitupohjaisen verkon tilalle. Ennen käyttöönottoa Tosin tiimi perehtyi konsultoivalla lähestymistavalla EPIC Cruden liiketoimintavaatimuksiin. Tältä po
Galderma Announces First Patient Enrollment in Study to Assess Nemolizumab in Adults With Chronic Pruritus of Unknown Origin11.12.2025 08:00:00 EET | Press release
Galderma (SIX: GALD), the pure-play dermatology category leader, today announced the first patient enrollment for its phase II study investigating the efficacy and safety of nemolizumab in treating patients living with Chronic Pruritus of Unknown Origin (CPUO). The first patient of the trial – which is taking place in the United States – was enrolled at Dr. Vlada Groysman’s site in Birmingham, Alabama. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210261871/en/ CPUO is an underdiagnosed condition defined as itch lasting for more than six weeks without an identified cause.1 It is a common condition and prevalent in nearly 30% of the elderly in certain populations, but despite its debilitating impact – with effects on sleep, mental health, and overall quality of life – there are currently no approved treatments.1,7 Nemolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the IL-31 receptor alpha, inhibiting the signa
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom