For Release Time: June 1, 2020
Botanisol maker of portable COVID-19 scanner
Washington D.C. — June 1, 2020 — Botanisol Analytics Chief Executive Officer David Talenfeld has been named as one of the top 40 Under 40 young leaders in the world by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA). The AFCEA 40 Under 40 award is given to leaders who have made significant contributions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and for thought leadership in the intelligence and national security arenas.
Botanisol Analytics makes portable, automated chemical and biological threat detection systems under contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory. This research was, in part, funded by the U.S. Government. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.
Asked about the award David responded, “This award belongs to James Foley, the brain behind Botanisol Analytics technology and Kent Dicks, who introduced us. We’re looking forward to being a part of AFCEA Bethesda in person starting in September. They have the best Health IT network in the world.”
The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) serves as a forum for members of the defense and intelligence community to collaborate with hi-tech companies like Botanisol so that support the strategic goals of United States and its allies around the world.
Founded in 2017 by David Talenfeld and James Foley, Botanisol Analytics is on a mission to “Illuminate the Unknown” ® The company is currently working on scanners for COVID-19 and other pathogens. The company’s key enabling technology was invented by Tom Milster at the College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. It uses a revolutionary new light source to improve the performance of Raman spectrometry by 2,000 -6,000 times, including a 99% reduction in fluorescence noise. These improvements make it possible to shine a light on any sample to determine its precise molecular composition instantly, and could make the machines competitive with the world’s best life science research and diagnostic systems. The portable device can be operated anywhere by minimally trained, non-medical personnel and provides results about chemical and biological threats such as COVID-19 in less than 10 minutes. It can be used by law enforcement, military, and first responder communities to protect key personnel and critical infrastructure in the event of a chemical or biological incident, and has other applications in nearly every industry. When asked about the long term vision for the company, Talenfeld responded that he “(hopes) to someday put the power of the chemical and biological laboratory at the touch of a button, in the palm of the consumer’s hand.”