Nuclear

Researchers develop glow in the dark explosive detectors
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed new explosives and chemical detectors that glow when dangerous substances are present
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RMD awarded $3.65 million in government funding for nuclear detection research
Last week RMD Research was awarded two contracts worth $3.65 million total by DHS’ Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to develop gamma and neutron radiation detectors
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U.S. deploys radiation detectors in Chinese port
As part of its ongoing efforts to secure terrorists from attacking the global shipping system via cargo container, the United States recently reached an agreement to deploy radiation scanners at the world’s largest container processing port in Shanghai
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Hybrid detector monitors alpha, beta, and gamma radiation simultaneously
By combining three layers of detection into one new device, a team of researchers from Japan has proposed a new way to monitor radiation levels at power plant accident sites; the device could limit the exposure times of clean-up workers by taking three measurements simultaneously
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Universal Detection developing radiation detector for smartphones
Last week Universal Detection Technology announced that it had begun development of a radiation detection device designed to work with smart phones
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Rapiscan to develop advanced nuke detection tech for DHS
DHS’ Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) recently awarded Rapiscan Systems a contract worth as much as $7 million to develop advanced new technologies to address the nation’s most pressing challenges in detecting nuclear materials
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New materials hold promise for better detection of nuclear weapons
Researchers have developed new materials that can detect hard radiation, a very difficult thing to do; the method could lead to a hand-held device for detecting nuclear weapons and materials, such as a “nuclear bomb in a suitcase” scenario
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Detecting contraband radioactive material
Researchers are building a highly sensitive instrument that will detect illicit radioactive materials with pinpoint accuracy from a safe distance; such materials, located in shipping ports, train stations, truck stops, or warehouses, potentially could be used to make dirty bombs or associated with a nuclear device itself
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Innovative plastic slashes cost of radiation detectors
Japan’s Teijin Chemicals announced it will begin supplying scintirex, an innovative low-cost radiation-fluorescent plastic, in late September; scintirex will be used in scintillators — the material at the core of radioactive radiation detectors; the use of the new plastic will slash the production cost of scintillators to one tenth or less of current levels
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Radiation detection market to see accelerated growth
The radiation detection industry will see accelerated growth as a result of ongoing homeland security concerns to greater concerns about safety in the nuclear power industry; the growth will involve both increases in the volume of materials required, and in the types of materials being sought
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Cheap radiation detector made of PET resin developed
Researchers develop a revolutionary radiation-sensitive plastic with a performance superior to plastic scintillators used for measuring radiation; the discovery will enable a major reduction in production costs — a step toward an inexpensive radiation detector available to everyone
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Dallas launches regional nuke detectors
The Dallas police will soon be participating in a regional radiological nuclear detection program that will help law enforcement officials detect any anomalies and help protect against any nuclear or radiological attacks
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Underwater nuke detecting drone
Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) could soon be prowling the nation’s coastline to detect radiological and nuclear threats; the underwater drones, developed by New Jersey based Princeton Security Technologies, Inc., are equipped with radiological isotope identification hardware to monitor any changes below the water
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DNDO formally approves Smiths Detection’s RadSeeker
Smiths Detection’s newly launched RdSeeker radiation detection has been formally approved by DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) for production and deployment
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Troubled $1.2 billion nuclear detection program cancelled
After news hit that DHS was planning on spending additional money to procure a troubled nuclear detection system that has been plagued with problems, the Obama administration decided to scrap the $1.2 billion program
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