Announcement follows the company’s recent technology-validation testing and guidance to the EPA on how to efficiently and safely identify and remediate lead in water service lines

 

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection, a leading manufacturer of detection tools for public safety agencies, today announced its success in piloting a new technology for lead detection in buried water service lines. The company now seeks agency and commercial partnerships for faster deployment, given the urgent threat to children’s health.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $15 billion of direct Federal funding for lead service line identification and replacement through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), and up to an additional $12 billion in funding for eligible lead pipe replacement. According to the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, it is estimated that up to 10 million households and 400,000 schools and childcare facilities are supplied water through service lines containing lead. The EPA, through its proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), would mandate 100% lead service line replacement.

Recent legislation and agency guidance also targets the eradication of childhood lead-poisoning from paint contamination. Viken has been at the forefront of this initiative with its Pb200^TM handheld lead-in-paint analyzer, long known for its market-leading sensitivity in detecting trace amounts of lead in household paint. With approximately 3,000 units in-use across the U.S. identifying lead paint in homes and housing communities, and 100 million reliable measurements to date, thousands of young children have avoided the debilitating health effects of lead-poisoning. Viken now sets its sights on eradicating lead contamination in the nation’s drinking water supply.

Viken’s patent-pending technology offers an innovative means for lead pipe identification and targeted removal. Viken’s real-time in-pipe detection techniques for buried lines combined with on-pipe analysis not only ensures safer and more reliable inventorying and removal of fully (or partially) lead-contaminated lines, but also minimizes disturbances to the removal sites and inconveniences to the surrounding communities.

“The continued existence of lead service lines in the drinking water supply is a serious child health issue. It is encouraging that the federal government is prioritizing lead decontamination in drinking water to make sure water crises like in Flint, Michigan are not allowed to persist,” said Jim Ryan, CEO of Viken Detection. “Viken remains committed to offering affordable, safe, and effective solutions to tackle today’s most imminent threats. Ensuring all children have access to lead-free drinking water can happen much faster than we think.”

Viken is seeking state and municipal water agencies, academic institutions, and commercial partners to advance the implementation of its technology. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Viken Detection at gettheleadout@vikendetection.com.

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.

Invalidation of patents clears way for cutting-edge vehicle scanners to disrupt widespread smuggling at the border; Viken’s $250m case against Rapiscan|AS&E advances

 

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection, pioneer of x-ray imaging and vehicle screening portals, today announced three further victories in its litigation with Rapiscan|AS&E. All patent claims asserted in Rapiscan|AS&E’s 2020 patent infringement complaint have been found invalid by three unanimous panels of the Patent Trial & Appeal Board of the US Patent & Trademark Office, ending its latest maneuver to stop Viken’s advanced scanners from reaching the southern border through patent injunctions.

“Viken developed its game-changing OSPREY suite of vehicle scanners, at the request of veteran US Customs and Border Protection leaders and based on the experience of renowned drug interdiction experts, to effectively and safely find drugs – especially those that are lower and deeper in passenger vehicles where traffickers now overwhelmingly hide them,” said Jim Ryan, CEO of Viken Detection. “Rapiscan|AS&E’s anticompetitive tactics to suppress Viken’s technology have failed. Let’s not waste any more time and, instead, give officers the best technology to find fentanyl and other drugs that poison and kill Americans every day.”

These latest rulings follow two earlier Viken victories defeating Rapiscan|AS&E’s injunction strategy in a separate litigation. In that case, Viken seeks damages related to Rapiscan|AS&E’s alleged interference in US CBP’s vehicle scanning program. Damages of at least $83.6 million have been estimated by Viken’s MIT-trained antitrust economist, which the trial court may double or triple to up to approximately $250 million. A single, recently issued (and now expired) patent remains in the patent litigation. Although now irrelevant, Viken has never infringed this expired patent or any of the now-invalid patents.

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection today announced that Admiral Craig Faller has been appointed to its board of directors.

Craig Faller is a retired four-star United States Navy Admiral with nearly four decades of global leadership experience. Faller most recently led United States Southern Command where he was responsible for U.S. military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean with the primary objective of forging strong security partnerships. He has served in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific regions both on large staffs and in Command of a United States Navy Carrier Strike Group and two warships. He has extensive Washington, DC experience in the Pentagon and with Congress as the Department of the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs (lead representative to Congress on behalf of the leadership of the Navy). In the Pentagon he served as the senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense.

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Faller earned a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering and a master’s in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School.

“It is a privilege to welcome Craig to our board,” said Jim Ryan, CEO of Viken Detection. “I’m looking forward to working with him to widen Viken’s reach in providing innovative technologies to support the critical missions of both law enforcement and the military.”

“Viken’s cutting-edge technology and world-class products enhance security and saves lives,” said Admiral Faller. “I have been impressed with the dedicated, hard-working, innovative, and trusted Viken team. I am excited to work with them.”

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection today announced that the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), after rigorous review, has approved Viken’s lead paint analyzer for license-exempt sales and use.

Viken’s lead paint analyzer meets the NRC’s highest standards of safety for use by members of the public without any additional licensing controls. With the exemption, our customers can now save on costly and time-consuming licensing and reciprocity fees and are no longer required to perform routine leak testing.

Under the terms of the exemption, Viken will update the currently fielded Pb200i with special labeling to rename the product the “Pb200e” for proper tracking. Current Viken customers should contact Viken to schedule a factory relabeling and qualify for exemption. Viken has also worked with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to add the Pb200e to the current PCSs.

“NRC‘s approval of a lead paint analyzer for license-exempt distribution assures our customers that Viken’s Pb200i/e is, and always has been, the standard for detection and safety” said Jim Ryan, Viken’s CEO. “Developing products that balance these two criteria requires innovative approaches – this exemption exemplifies Viken’s unyielding commitment to this core design principle.”

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection, pioneer of x-ray imaging, chemical detection and environmental analytical solutions, today announced the official release of the FOXHOUND-HNA™. Featuring tri-mode functionality and design, Viken’s handheld narcotics analyzer is optimized for drug interdiction and tailored for wide use in law enforcement operations.

FOXHOUND-HNA provides users with critical information, able to determine if narcotics are or have been present and identify those substances. As news agencies around the U.S. report an unabated and even growing opioid epidemic, FOXHOUND-HNA is an essential and cost-effective tool for drug interdiction operations as they work to keep the public safe.

FOXHOUND-HNA takes a novel approach to high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) technology in three modes: vapor, trace, and bulk sampling. Vapor and trace mode are used before substances are found to tell authorities if a narcotic is or has been present, while bulk sampling mode is used when suspicious materials have been found that need to be identified. FOXHOUND-HNA’s patent-pending bulk sampling mode is a new feature, designed to handle large amounts of material that would typically overwhelm IMS and Mass Spectrometry systems. FOXHOUND’s bulk sampling mode does not require swabs, significantly reducing consumables costs.

“The FOXHOUND-HNA provides a new standard for field chemical detection technology, replacing legacy technology that has languished while the opioid epidemic persists,” said Dr. Hanh Lai, Senior VP & GM of Viken’s Chemical Detection and Environmental Hazards Business. “The capabilities, design for ease of use, low maintenance, and cost of ownership have all been incorporated, resulting in a handheld narcotics analyzer engineered specifically to address field operation challenges. We look forward to continue to work with law enforcement agencies around the country with our latest tool, the FOXHOUND-HNA.”

To schedule a product demo, please contact us at sales@vikendetection.com.

For more information about Viken Detection, please visit us at www.vikendetection.com.

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.

Agreement to Fund Purchase of Viken Detection’s Nighthawk-HBI™ Handheld Imagers for DEA Use

 

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection, pioneer of x-ray imaging and analytical devices, today announced its channel partner, Federal Resources, has been awarded a $2.5 million contract from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for Viken Detection’s NIGHTHAWK-HBI™ handheld x-ray imager. The five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) allows the agency the flexibility to deploy a unique array of technologies which have been designed to meet the specific needs of their diverse mission.

“Viken Detection is honored to support the DEA in its critical mission to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs in the United States,” said Jim Ryan, CEO of Viken Detection. “The opioid crisis is ongoing, and Viken will continue to do its part to support the law enforcement agencies on the front lines.”

Viken Detection’s NIGHTHAWK-HBI is a handheld backscatter imager that enables law enforcement officers and agents to quickly, safely and cost-effectively locate concealed narcotics, explosives and other contraband. Viken’s technology has already aided in thousands of seizures in the U.S. and around the world.

Training will also be provided as part of the long-term contract. For more information about Viken Detection, please visit us at www.vikendetection.com.

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.

Demonstrating Commitment to Bring ‘Medical-Grade’ Imaging to the Security Industry

 

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection, pioneer of x-ray imaging, chemical detection and environmental analytical solutions, today announced it has appointed Dr. Basak Ulker-Karbeyaz as its new Chief Science Officer.

Dr. Basak Ulker-Karbeyaz joined Viken in 2019 as the VP of Algorithms. Prior to joining Viken, Dr. Ulker-Karbeyaz was Senior Principal Imaging Engineer at Analogic. She has 15 years of hands-on experience in data science, image processing, signal processing, numerical analysis, and developing image reconstruction algorithms.

“In her short time here at Viken, Basak already has had a substantial impact on our product development,” said Jim Ryan, CEO of Viken Detection. “Her extensive expertise in ‘medical-grade’ imaging, combined with the security experience of our CTO, Dr. Peter Rothschild, creates a tremendous capability that will continue to provide law enforcement with the latest innovations in their critical fight against drug-trafficking, terrorism and human trafficking.”

“Making the world a better, safer place is engraved in my DNA. What initially attracted me to Viken was its mission to keep the public safe through innovation,” said Dr. Ulker-Karbeyaz. “What is keeping me here is a group of people who are not only talented in their areas of expertise, but also live Viken’s mission every single day. It is a real privilege to be able to help Viken grow.”

Dr. Ulker-Karbeyaz has four patents and several publications in peer reviewed journals. She was nominated for The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Award. She is a proud alumna of Gordon Institute of Engineering and Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership programs. Dr. Ulker-Karbeyaz earned her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Northeastern University and a M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the Middle East Technical University in Turkey.

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection, pioneer of x-ray imaging, chemical detection and environmental analytical solutions, today announced it has hired Chitra Subramanian as its new Chief Operating Officer.

Ms. Subramanian comes to Viken from Analogic, where she was Director of Engineering for the Medical Imaging (CT) business. During her 20-year span at Analogic, she led multiple large-scale imaging programs in both the medical and security businesses and was the Principal Engineer and Program Manager for their Rapid DNA program (portable point-of-use instrument for DNA identification, including applications for law enforcement and the military). Ms. Subramanian has extensive experience in systems engineering, software engineering, reconstruction software, X-ray physics and imaging algorithms and has four patents in this field. She is a Gordon Fellow from Northeastern University and an alumna of the Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s leadership program. She has an MS in Computer Engineering from Rutgers University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from College of Engineering Guindy, Chennai.

“Chitra and I worked together for many years and I’m thrilled to have her join the Viken team,” said Jim Ryan, CEO of Viken Detection. “She is a seasoned leader with broad technical experience and a passion for our industry’s mission. Chitra will be instrumental in helping me further scale Viken to achieve our ambitious goals.”

“The team and the innovations at Viken Detection are what drew me to the company,” said Chitra Subramanian. “I am excited to join Viken at this inflection point in the company. I look forward to working with this extraordinary team to bring these innovative technological solutions to the public safety and security markets, and to further establish Viken as a world-class leader in the industry.”

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection, pioneer of x-ray imaging and analytical devices, today announced that it has appointed Dr. Hanh Lai to lead its newly formed Chemical Detection and Environmental Hazards business unit.

Prior to joining Viken, Dr. Lai held various technical leadership roles at Rapiscan and Safran (formerly Morpho Detection) in their Explosive Trace Detection divisions. She received her doctorate in Forensic Chemistry at Florida International University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto. Dr. Lai is named inventor/co-inventor on 18 U.S. patents and patent applications.

“Hanh is not only an accomplished technologist, but also a natural leader with superb business instincts,” stated Jim Ryan, CEO of Viken Detection. “I am thrilled to work with her as we introduce exciting new product platforms this quarter and continue to provide our customers with unique solutions.”

“My passion has always been to develop new technology that helps keep people safe,” said Dr. Lai. “At Viken Detection I get to do that every day, working with a group of talented engineers to accomplish that mission.”

For more information about Viken Detection, please visit us at www.vikendetection.com.

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.

BURLINGTON, Mass.–Viken Detection, pioneer of homeland security x-ray imaging and analytical devices, today announced the appointment of John Quelch to its Board of Directors.

Quelch is the Dean of the University of Miami’s Herbert Business School, Miller University Chair Professor, and Vice Provost for executive education. He formerly held a joint appointment as the Charles Edward Wilson Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and professor of health policy and management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He is the author of 25 books as well as numerous case studies on leading multinational corporations, which have sold more than four million copies.

In addition, Quelch has served as a director of ten public companies, including Aramark, easyJet, Pepsi Bottling Group, Reebok International, and WPP. He served as chairman of the board of the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), which operates Boston’s Logan Airport.

After 9/11, Quelch helped Massport to restore its reputation for safety and oversaw one of the early implementations of total passenger baggage scanning to keep the flying public safe.

“John’s dedication to homeland security, public health and safety, combined with his wealth of business experience, make him the perfect fit for Viken,” said Jim Ryan, CEO of Viken Detection. “I look forward to working with John as we roll out our Osprey^TM series of vehicle scanners to thwart drug trafficking at our ports and borders.”

More information about Viken Detection can be found here.

 

About Viken Detection

Viken equips public safety organizations, including customs and border protection agencies, law enforcement, and security professionals with effective, safe, and affordable detection tools to thwart imminent threats. The company’s innovative suite of handheld x-ray imagers, chemical analyzers, vehicle scanners and elemental analyzers are proven and reliable in their respective markets with thousands of units operating in the field. Viken Detection is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.vikendetection.com.