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Universal Detection Technology Enhances Sensitivity of the Anthrax 'Smoke' DetectorLOS ANGELES --(Business Wire)-- Dec. 6, 2004 -- Universal Detection Technology (OTCBB:UDTT) - The Company announced today that it has enhanced the sensitivity of the Anthrax 'smoke' Detector (ASD) by improving the sample collection efficiency of the device. Universal Detection Technology has developed the ASD based on a technology developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). JPL's Planetary Protection Unit originally created the technology to help assure that spacecraft sent to other planets do not harbor terrestrial life. The technology uses a time-gated spectrometer to measure the luminescence of Dipicolinic acid (DPA), a chemical unique to bacterial spores, when it binds to a chemical sensor. "We noticed during our test trials that we were not achieving a 100% binding efficiency from the released DPA with the chemical sensor," said Amir Ettehadieh, Director of Research and Development at Universal Detection. "We realized that some of the DPA released from spore germination was binding to the glass fiber in the collection tape; therefore, we started testing different material for the collection tape. By switching to an Aluminum Mesh tape we are now getting all of the released DPA available for binding with the sensor." UDT has also successfully coupled a PM-10 inlet head to the ASD. The PM-10 inlet head will only allow particles smaller than 10 microns to enter the device. Weaponized anthrax spores range between 1-3 microns in size. In improving the sample collection efficiency of the ASD, UDT has demonstrated (1) That 100% of the Dipicolinic acid (DPA, 2,6-pyridinedicarboxilic acid) released following spore germination is available for binding to the sensor molecule; and (2) The exact number of captured spores can be directly correlated to the magnitude of luminescence intensity from the binding of the DPA and the sensor molecule. Consequently, the increased sensitivity of the device has reduced the probability of a potential bacterial spore release going unnoticed. About Universal Detection Technology Universal Detection Technology (UDT), founded in 1973, is a developer of monitoring technologies, including bio-terrorism detection devices. Management believes that the Company's technology, together with third party technologies and devices, has positioned it to capitalize on growth and value opportunities related to Homeland Security. Universal Detection Technology, in cooperation with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has developed a bio-terror 'smoke' detector, which combines JPL's spore detection technology with UDT's aerosol capture device. For more information, please visit http://udtt.invrel.net or http://www.udetection.com. Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause a company's actual results, performance and achievement in the future to differ materially from forecasted results, performance, and achievement. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the funding of amounts of capital adequate to provide for our working capital needs and our timely repayment of debt, our ability to timely and cost effectively complete the development and testing of our products targeted to the bio-chemical and medical markets, our ability to commercially produce our products on a profitable basis, commercial acceptance of our products, product price volatility, product demand, market competition and general economic conditions, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation and do not intend to revise or update publicly any forward looking statements for any reason. |
