One of our most important national security missions is to detect and monitor nuclear proliferation activities at limited access sites over extended periods of time. In general, neither remote nor in situ measurements alone are adequate to characterize proliferation activities of interest; therefore, methodologies that utilize all available information are needed. This project will develop a system to continuously measure the radiation field throughout a given site and combine those measurements with remotely-sensed imagery, in order to help detect and monitor possible nuclear proliferation activities. In particular, a state-of-the-art, GPS-enabled, radiation sensor network will be demonstrated, and measurements from that network will be coupled with overhead imagery to detect and characterize activity patterns that indicate nuclear proliferation. Phase I will assemble and test the technology required for the system and develop the first generation of algorithms for overlaying distributed radiation measurements, geolocation data, and overhead imagery. The technology will use a location-aware, self-reporting system that is coupled to low-power, compact gamma-ray spectrometers, in order to provide a pocket-size radiation sensor node.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The site-monitoring system should be applicable for proliferation detection operations worldwide. It also should find use in other security-related applications where radiation monitoring can enhance the use of overhead imagery. This includes nuclear smuggling detection, counter-terrorism operations, nuclear contamination and spill monitoring, and post-event consequence management. Radiation-measuring smart-tags could be deployed in any sensor network where their low-power, compact size, low cost, and autonomous operation would provide a unique sensing capability.
