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An antiterrorism device developed by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is slated for commercialization with the signing of a licensing agreement between Princeton University and InSitech, Inc. The device, the Miniature Integrated Nuclear Detection System (MINDS), would have applications in transportation and site security. MINDS would be used to scan moving vehicles, luggage, cargo vessels, etc., for specific nuclear signatures associated with materials employed in radiological weapons. The system could be employed at workplace entrances, post offices, tollbooths, airports, and commercial shipping ports, as well as in police cruisers, to detect the transportation of unauthorized nuclear materials. A team of PPPL researchers led by Charles Gentile designed a prototype system and InSitech, through the licensing agreement signed in March 2005, has certain rights to the commercial development, manufacture, use, and sale of the product. InSitech is a not-for profit organization working for the U.S. Army to bring government-developed technology to market. MINDS, which combines many off-the-shelf components with specific nuclear detection software, is capable of detecting X-rays, soft gammas, gammas, and neutrons. While InSitech proceeds with commercialization of the product, PPPL will continue to develop the library for MINDS, collecting data on radionuclides. The MINDS system is configured to employ a laptop computer and can also be used with other types of processors for the storage of radionuclide databases. The unit uses proprietary detection software and three different radiation detectors, or heads, to cover a wide gamut of nuclear signatures. System hardware could be configured with one, two, or more heads to suit the needs of law enforcement and Homeland Security officials. Once a unit is in place, law enforcement agencies would incorporate it into an alerting system. For example, it could be set up at a tollbooth so that when a suspicious vehicle is detected, a picture would be taken and an e-mail or wireless alert would be sent to authorities. The vehicle could then be stopped a short distance beyond the tollbooth. For more information, contact Anthony R. DeMeo at (609) 243-2755, Patti Wieser at (609) 243-2757, or visit www.pppl.gov. |
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