In May 2005, Echo Technologies Inc was acquired by British firm Smiths Group plc. andnowoperates as a wholly owned subsiduray of Smith. Echo Technologies Inc. (ETI) had been established as a sensor and instrumentation development company, specialising in techniques for the detection of harmful biological agents. The company's initial business focus was directed toward the development of optical sensors and instrumentation for the detection of biological agents and chemical contaminants. As well as protecting the public from the dissemination of biological and chemical warfare agents, it looked at public health threats, including new and emerging diseases, contaminated food products and poor indoor air quality. One example is the EchoSensor, a compact biological-warfare detection system, developed to monitor the presence of airborne bacterial agents. ETI also adapted its core sensor technology for rapid detection of microbial contamination in drinking water and recreational waters.
EWithfacilites in Massachuestts, TI has enjoyed collaboration with Harvard University, the University of British Columbia, Michigan Molecular Institute, University of South Carolina and the Army Research Laboratory on projects ranging from basic research to development of prototype sensor instrumentation.
