SEATTLE, March 3 -- The SPIE Defense and Security Symposium (DSS), to be held March 28 to April 1 at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, in Orlando (Kissimmee), Fla., is the largest unclassified international symposium related to sensors and sensor networks. According to its organizer, SPIE (The International Society for Optical Engineering), the symposium "eliminates barriers for engineers and scientists who are developing and utilizing electro-optical, digital and microwave technologies for sensor-related defense and security applications. The face-to-face collaboration between researchers from multiple disciplines at the annual event has accelerated technological advancement and discovery in the field." The 2005 symposium, with its complementary technical conferences, education programs and exhibition, will provide a unique opportunity to discuss, debate and shape the future of this field. "A unique strength of DSS is the flexibility and comprehensive nature of presentations of research and development activities," SPIE said. "Conferences include topics on fundamental science and applications, which many attendees find highly valuable." Twelve new conferences have been added to this year's program: Atmospheric Propagation Biomonitoring for Physiological and Cognitive Performance During Military Operations Connections Forensic Science Technologies and Systems Future Display Technologies Intelligent Integrated Microsystems Laser Source Technology for Defense and Security Micro (MEMS) and Nanotechnologies for Space Applications Ocean Surveillance and Reconnaissance Technologies Optics and Photonics in Global Homeland Security Photonics for Port and Harbor Security Space Communications Technologies For more information, visit: www.spie.org/Conferences/Calls/05/dss/