PROGRAM AREA OVERVIEW

49. RESEARCH TO SUPPORT GROUND-BASED NUCLEAR EXPLOSION MONITORING

The Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research & Engineering (NEM R&E) program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of Nonproliferation Research and Engineering. This program is responsible for the research and development necessary to provide the U.S. Government with capabilities for monitoring nuclear explosions. The NEM R&E program provides research products to the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC), which collects and analyzes data from a network of seismic, radionuclide, hydroacoustic, and infrasound data collection stations. Within the context of one or more of these technologies, research is sought to develop algorithms, hardware, and software for improved event detection, location, and identification at thresholds and confidence levels that meet U.S. requirements in a cost-effective manner. Grant applications responding to this topic must demonstrate how the proposed approaches would complement and be coordinated with ongoing or completed work (see list of ongoing contracts https://www.nemre.nnsa.doe.gov/coordination) while improving capability. In addition, grant applications should address the manufacturability of any instruments or components developed. Grant applications must be specifically related to nuclear explosion monitoring and must respond only to the following subtopics:

a. Seismic Monitoring of Nuclear Explosions—Grant applications are sought to develop and field test communications hardware and software systems concepts to provide timely, high data availability for intra-array communications among seismic array elements. The separation of seismic array elements may vary from 0.5 to 10 kilometers and the separation of array elements from a central collection point may extend up to 50 kilometers.

Grant applications also are sought to develop and field test next-generation communications hardware and software systems for the transmission and management of data from near-real-time distributed seismic sensor systems. Systems must be secure, robust (no single point of failure, high data availability), low-power, wideband (up to 2 Mbps), adaptive, low-cost, capable of operating in remote locations, and flexible enough to be used with a combination of communication systems. Approaches should seek to leverage both existing and emerging technologies under development in the commercial sector.

Finally, grant applications are sought to develop computer-based training systems, using Web technology, for systems control and troubleshooting of seismic monitoring stations around the world. Phase 1 should include a product requirements definition in coordination with potential customers; therefore, grant applications should include input from operational logistical personnel as well as level 1 maintenance operators. The training materials should be high quality, comprehensive, available on-line, and of significant value and interest to both novice and experienced users alike. The training modules should be in English only; translation to other languages would be considered only after the final training product is perfected.

b. Radionuclide Monitoring of Nuclear Explosions—The detection of alpha and beta radiation in environmental field samples would be a very useful screening measure for determining which samples must undergo additional, costly, or time consuming measurements. Therefore, grant applications are sought to develop a very-low-background alpha-particle counter with position resolution less than 5mm fwhm and low sensitivity to vibration or electromagnetic interference. Novel design ideas and modular constructs are preferred over traditional ion-chamber designs. The desired outcome is a robust, self-contained system to scan thin, flat field samples for alpha and beta contamination.

Semiconductor detectors used in the field, along with certain chemical processes, require cryogens for cooling. In the past, this has been accomplished by carrying large volumes of liquid nitrogen, or alternatively by using mechanical coolers for the detectors. Therefore, grant applications are sought to develop a more flexible and robust solution, in which a compact, portable, field-robust, and efficient device produces liquid nitrogen in a field setting at a rate no lower than 12 liters per day. Operation on world power (defined as 110V-240V and 50-60 cycles per second, see: http://kropla.com/electric2.htm or http://www.voltageconverters.com/voltageguide.htm) is highly desirable, as is a module weight of <50 lbs.

References:

1. Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research and Engineering Program Strategic Plan, National Nuclear Security Administration, September 2003. (Document No. DOE/NNSA/NA-22-NEMRE-2003) (Full text available at https://www.nemre.nnsa.doe.gov/cgi-bin/prod/nemre/index.cgi?Page=Strategic+Plan)

2. U.S. National Data Center, Air Force Technical Applications Center, http://www.tt.aftac.gov/toppage.html

3. Proceedings of the 25th Seismic Research Review-Nuclear Explosion Monitoring: Building the Knowledge Base, Tucson, AZ, September 23-25, 2003, sponsored by National Nuclear Security Administration/Air Force Research Laboratory; Los Alamos National Laboratory, 2003. (Report No. LA-UR-03-6029) (Available at: https://www.nemre.nnsa.doe.gov/cgi-bin/prod/srr/index.cgi)

4. Proceedings of the 24th Seismic Research Review—Nuclear Explosion Monitoring: Innovation and Integration, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, September 17-19, 2002, sponsored by National Nuclear Security Administration/Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Los Alamos National Laboratory, 2002. (Report No. LA-UR-02-5048) (Available at https://www.nemre.nnsa.doe.gov/cgi-bin/prod/srr/index.cgi)

5. Proceedings of the 23rd Seismic Research Review: Worldwide Monitoring of Nuclear Explosions, Jackson Hole, WY, October 2-5, 2001, sponsored by National Nuclear Security Administration/Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Los Alamos National Laboratory, 2001. (Report No. LA-UR-01-4454) (Available at: https://www.nemre.nnsa.doe.gov/cgi-bin/prod/srr/index.cgi)

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