New Alliance - ISU Teams up with Scan Tech
October 5, 2011
POCATELLO — Idaho State University’s first partnership to fill the massive Ballard Medical complex it purchased for $3.6 million this year is now taking up some of the space. ScanTech Identification Beams Systems, a subsidiary of ScanTech Holdings of Atlanta, Ga., announced its joint partnership with the university Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m telling you I’m confident that is going to happen,” Vailas said.
Vailas shared the podium with Dolan Falconer, president and CEO of ScanTech IBS, George Imel, dean of the College of Science and Engineering, and Eric Brugett, the assistant professor in charge of new development at the complex, as the partnership was unveiled.
“This park was part of the vision the university had a long time ago,” Vailas said about the research center ISU is beginning to develop inside the old Ballard complex. “We have the intellectual capital to deal with problems and now we have the facility. This resource is the infrastructure we need for ISU to take the next step.”
ScanTech has begun to deliver equipment for its operation at the ISU research facility, but Brugett said it will be mid-spring of 2012 before everything is fully operational.
“We have to remove some hurdles,” Brugett said. Among those hurdles are adequate electrical systems and licensing for the electron accelerator that will be used for the imagin of cargo containers.
Brugett said ISU already has the necessary federal license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission which can be amended. He said he needs to acquire state licensing from the same agency that regulates CT scanners in hospitals.
“We’re not going to dive into this head-first,” Brugett said. “We’re going to take it one step at a time.”
IBS is dedicated and committed to design, develop and build affordable, nonintrusive inspection systems utilizing state-of-the-art Ebeam and X-ray technologies that significantly assist in locating and identifying threatening materials and substances at the world’s airports, seaports, borders, embassies, and other facilities and buildings, ScanTech’s website states.
Falconer said his company has already contracted with Premier Technologies of Blackfoot to develop new equipment for the company. ISU’s technology center will become the testing grounds for this high-tech equipment.
Dean Imel said he hopes the partnership will offer ISU students an opportunity to get experience with cutting edge technology.
“This is something in today’s world we really need to emphasize,” Imel said.
Using this technology to improve homeland security is just the beginning, according to Brugett. He said imaging accelerator technology may lead to better ways to irradiate fruits and vegetables and sterilize medical instruments.
The ISU assistant professor said the partnership with ScanTech fits well with his plans to focus on “applied nano-technology” at the complex.
BY MICHAEL H. O’DONNELL
modonnell@journalnet.com