SRI’s patented technology uses upconverting phosphor particles for rapid, sensitive identification of biological molecules, with applications in biological warfare detection, disease diagnostics, detection of drugs of abuse, and environmental monitoring. This work has led to the development of several novel sensor platforms that are being utilized by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The technology was patented in 2000. As of 2013, the technology is being applied to a handheld biodosimeter device that measures human exposure to ionizing radiation.