2
*STTR
Project: A
Modular Neutron Source for the Detection of Shielded Highly Enriched Uranium in
Shipping Containers
Dr. Charles R. Mansfield, Principal Investigator, coyote2@swcp.com
Dr. Rosemary Alme, Business Official, rmncjalme@aol.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-04ER86208
Amount:
$99,99
Research Institution
Los Alamos
National Laboratory
Los Alamos, NM
The
development of fusion energy would be quickened if spin-off applications could
be identified and commercialized. In
this spirit, this project will develop a nuclear assay that uses a high
intensity neutron source based on an inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC)
plasma device developed by the DOE Office of Fusion Energy Sciences.
The nuclear assay will address one of the most critical security problems
presently facing the nation: the
possibility of an adversary smuggling Special Nuclear Materials or nuclear
weapons into the country in large containers such as cargo containers.
This would be the first commercial application of a fusion confinement
system to solve a problem of interest to both the public and the private sector.
Specifically, a modular, high yield neutron source will be developed for
the detection of heavily shielded, highly enriched Uranium (HEU) in cargo
containers, using a nuclear assay. Phase
I will experimentally verify calculations for IEC scaling and then complete the
engineering design of a portable IEC source.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits
as described by the awardee: A
neutron source that is large enough to do real-time assays for the detection of
HEU in large cargo containers should prevent terrorists from smuggling HEU into
the country through port facilities. The
same technology also should have application to the detection of high
explosives, chemical weapons, and drugs.