Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is stepping up its safety game! The airport has partnered with BioFlyte, a trailblazing bioaerosol surveillance firm, for a groundbreaking pilot biothreat detection program. The airport will implement BioFlyte’s state-of-the-art mass spectrometer, enhancing the airport’s safety layers.
This collaboration marks the inaugural deployment of a biothreat surveillance tool of this magnitude within critical infrastructure.
BioFlyte’s BioTOF™ z200: The Future of Bioaerosol Identification
The BioTOF™ z200 integrates a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometer.
Features:
- Robotics & AI/ML algorithms: These enable the tool to continuously screen for over 1,100 potential threats, including toxins, viruses, and bacteria.
- Speed & Accuracy: Imagine detecting a potential biothreat and identifying it within five minutes with an accuracy of up to 95%. The BioTOF™ z200 equips security teams to act faster and more decisively against threats.
PIT’S xBridge: Strengthening Pittsburgh International Airport’s Safety Ecosystem
PIT’s xBridge innovation center has been instrumental in fostering partnerships with pioneering startups. Their aim? To catalyze innovations that can boost airport security, optimize operations, enrich customer experiences, and underscore sustainability.
In this pilot program, a BioFlyte module will be placed in the airport’s HVAC system to autonomously monitor the air coursing through the terminals 24/7. On detecting any airborne threats, it instantly notifies the operations staff, ensuring immediate action and detailed analysis.
Todd Sickles, the dynamic CEO of BioFlyte, expressed his enthusiasm about this alliance, emphasizing the company’s commitment to national security. “This is the first time a biothreat surveillance technology of this caliber has been operationally introduced into this type of complex critical infrastructure. We are passionate about our national security mission and are excited to work with the xBridge team to confirm the timeliness and accuracy of our technology in a real-life operational setting. We are confident that this pilot will lead to other opportunities for BioFlyte in the aviation market and other settings with complex critical infrastructure.”
With shared aspirations, BioFlyte and xBridge are eager to broaden the program’s horizons, aiming for seamless integration with the PIT emergency management system.
Cole Wolfson, the Director at PIT’s xBridge, encapsulated the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Safety, security, and health are the top priority for us every single day. We’re very confident in our ability to maintain safe facilities, and deploying BioFlyte’s technology takes that confidence to another level. We are a safer, better airport with them onboard.”
For a deep dive into the mechanics of this program and a chance to see BioFlyte’s tech in action, check out the feature and an exclusive video on PIT’s Blue Sky News.
About BioFlyte
A torchbearer in bioaerosol surveillance, BioFlyte is a leader in the realm of biological contamination sampling, detection, and identification. Their primary focus encompasses safeguarding critical infrastructure and mail screening across governmental and commercial sectors.
To learn more about BioFlyte’s initiatives and their pivotal role in redefining bioaerosol surveillance, visit https://www.bioflyte.com/.
About Allegheny County Airport Authority
The Allegheny County Airport Authority is responsible for the management of both Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC). Their vision is to transform Pittsburgh’s airports. They aspire to mirror and serve the community, inspire peers in the industry, and accentuate the region’s global prominence. Discover more at www.flypittsburgh.com.