Hard Radiation Detection Material Research

US-based scientists have developed a new gamma radiation detection method that could launch the next generation of nuclear weapons identification systems.

Working at Illinois' Northwestern University, the research team has created new elemental materials capable of confirming the presence of so-called ‘hard radiation' - high energy gamma rays or X-rays that can penetrate comparatively thick substances. It's precisely that ability that normally makes this type of radiation difficult to pick up on but hopes are high that the university's advances could have future security applications in the modern world.

"We have designed promising semiconductor materials that, once optimised, could be a fast, effective and inexpensive method for detecting dangerous materials such as plutonium and uranium", head researcher Mercouri G Kanatzidis explained, in a statement.

He and his colleagues initially drew on heavy elements with a comparatively high radiation absorption level to put their hard radiation detection technique to test. When heavy radiation entered these elements, it activated the electrons inside. This activity generated a signal which both confirmed the radiation's presence and allowed its identity to be confirmed.

However, the team encountered one issue during their experiments - how to distinguish between the electrons in the radiation and those naturally found in the elements. As detailed by Kanatzidis, to overcome this, they ended up actually manufacturing their own material.

"It's like having a bucket of water and adding one drop - the change is negligible", he said. "We needed a heavy element material without a lot of electrons. This doesn't exist naturally so we had to design a new material."

Consequently, the researchers developed two substances - cesium-mercury-selenide and cesium-mercury-sulfide - and subsequently showed that both of them could effectively detect gamma rays. According to Kanatzidis, once further radiation detection materials research has taken place - optimising the materials so they're working at their best - they have the potential to offer greater performance than present-day hard radiation detection produces.

The materials have clear security industry applications but other industries, such as biomedicine, might also be able to put them to use.

Northwestern University's hard radiation detection research was supported by two US government organisations - the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. In-depth details of their work appear in a paper called Dimensional Reduction: A Design Tool for New Radiation Detection Materials.

Image copyright Irvin Calicut at ml.wikipedia

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Laser Explosives Detection System Unveiled

A laser capable of accurate roadside bomb detection has been developed by a US-based research team.

The technology can precisely locate IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) of the kind historically deployed by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan and part of the investment require to progress it was supplied by the US Department of Homeland Security.

Working at Michigan State University, the researchers describe, in a study published by Applied Physics Letters, how IEDs claim close to two thirds of the deaths that occur among warfighters serving on the frontline in Afghanistan.

Traditional IED detection approaches are complicated by the difficulty factor involved in locating bombs by their chemical signature when, in Afghanistan, there are already large numbers of chemicals floating around: how do you isolate potentially hazardous material from what's already in the environment?

The laser in this system fires two different types of beams and uses the results from these to determine the type of material being analysed. The shorter pulses cause explosive molecules to vibrate, giving away their presence, while the longer pulses are used to indicate what the molecules actually are, determining their identity from the frequency of their vibrations.

According to head researcher Professor Marcos Dantus, the new laser-based IED detection system is so accurate that it can pick up one billionth of a gram of explosive material.

"The laser and the method we've developed were originally intended for microscopes, but we were able to adapt and broaden its use to demonstrate its effectiveness for standoff detection of explosives", Professor Dantus explained.

In addition to being able to perform high precision-level explosives scans, the laser can also cover a wide target area.

From here on in, the researchers are hoping to see further investment into their technology. If that occurs, it's conceivable that the laser IED detection system could see operational use in the not-too-distant future. More on this to come in future Security Technology News Items.

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DNA Sprays Boost Shop Crime Detection

The recent large-scale UK riots have emphasised the vulnerabilities of commercial premises and how, in the right conditions, they can be looted and lose tens of thousands of value in stock.

A pair of new anti-crime products are now being rolled-out at retail premises that aim to help identity those responsible for shop theft incidents, when they do happen. Developed by security firm Selectamark, the products are both sprays and each have Secured by Design accreditation, approved by APCO (the Association of Chief Police Officers).

The SelectaDNA Intruder Spray's one of these two new technologies and is designed to literally mark out criminals, or potential criminals. By spraying them with a non-toxic and invisible DNA solution, it provides up to three weeks worth of subsequent identification time. This allows the person/persons responsible for the shop crime to be picked out of an identity parade through a scanning process.

As Selectamark describes, in a press release on its DNA sprays, police officials often have a strong idea of identity, where criminals are concerned, but lack the missing link to connect them back to the scene of the crime. The SelectaDNA Intruder Spray has the potential to make that connection concrete and it's able to be retrofitted into pre-existing shop security systems, or independently wired-in, according to specific requirements.

It's already been deployed at a number of locations, including one branch of an established pharmaceutical chain that had experienced six consecutive break-ins over the course of a month. Since the SelectaDNA Intruder Spray's arrival, the break-in rate there has dropped right down to zero.

The SelectaDNA Defence Spray works in a similar way and, says Selectamark, is ‘suitable for use by shopkeepers, security guards, lone workers and police officers on neighbourhood patrol.'

Highly portable, it's easy to operate and, again, discharges invisible, safe DNA spray for shop crime detection purposes.

"In these worrying trading times, our SelectaDNA spray products give shopkeepers and retailers in vulnerable areas added protection and peace of mind", Selectamark's Managing Director, Andrew Knights, explained. "If the worst does happen and a looter or burglar enters the premises by force, they will be sprayed with the DNA which links them instantly to the crime scene.

"However, as SelectaDNA is a highly effective deterrent, it is extremely likely that any offender would flee as soon as they are sprayed, as the DNA fear-factor among criminals is high."

Image copyright Selectamark

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Companies supplying Retail Security

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Anthrax Detection Technology Under Development

Researchers in the US are working on new, fast-acting bacterial agent detection technology that's both automatic and potentially portable, too.

The device, produced through a joint venture between New York's Cornell University and the University of Albany's CNSE (College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering) division, can pick on the presence of anthrax in 15 minutes, according to reports.

When presented with a contaminated sample, it can apparently pick out the bacteria when present in extremely small concentrations - down to 40 minute cells - and, as per information on the technology published in the International Journal of Biomedical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, it incorporates advanced nano material-based fluidic cartridges.

Once a sample of the material to be tested has been manually placed on the anthrax detection technology, the machine does the rest, making the process almost entirely automatic.

Anthrax, formally known as Bacillus anthracis, is a microbe with the power to kill. As a component of biological warfare, it can be used by insurgent forces to infect subjects, potentially through inhalation or ingestion (i.e. when it's present in food samples or water supplies).

Known as a ‘lab-on-a-chip' device, the new anthrax detector features sample and reagent inputs and carries out DNA purification measures.

"The average time required for DNA purification during these experiments was approximately 15 minutes, and when combined with real-time PCR analysis, this resulted in an average time to detection of 60 minutes", the researchers explained, adding: "Due to its small size and low power requirements, this system can be further developed as a truly portable, hand-held device".

Almost a decade ago, the US experienced a series of anthrax attacks, in which contaminated letters were sent, with the result that five people died and 17 more were infected.

As per a statement made by CNSE, should an attack occur, anthrax detection measures are vital if high fatality levels are to be avoided.

Image copyright US Marine Corps

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Fido NXT Explosives Detection Device Unveiled

Thermal imaging technology firm FLIR Systems has released a new explosives detection device that builds on the legacy of its earlier products.

The Fido NXT portable detection device is the latest addition to the Fido range of systems and, a wholly new design, it expands the palette of explosives detection abilities offered by previous designs, while packaging them up in a smaller and more durable shell.

Tests have shown that the Fido NXT can survive after being dropped from a height of one metre, while it can be used in every type of environment; day or night, and in all weathers.

It can be started up and operated within a sub-five minute timeframe, while a single battery charge provides eight hours of use.

Crucially, once it's carried out one round of explosives detection, the Fido NXT device takes very little time to reset itself for the next scan, allowing the user to carry out rapid consecutive product examinations.

Furthermore, it's described by FLIR Systems as possessing a ‘simplified user interface suitable for users of any experience level.'

Upwards of 3,000 FLIR Systems Fido detectors are presently being deployed at locations around the world. The new Fido NXT harnesses the experiences yielded from these to offer security professionals the next generation of advanced, handheld explosives detection.

Prospective interested parties have the chance to gain insight into the Fido NXT's explosives detection capabilities at the FPED VIII (Force Protection Equipment Demonstration) event, which began on 17 May and runs through to today.

"Explosives and IEDs continue to provide a detection challenge for our forward deployed military as well as law enforcement agencies", FLIR Detection & Protection's President, Bill Sundermeier, was quoted as having said in a company press release.

"With the introduction of the Fido NXT, FLIR continues the tradition of providing cutting edge solutions for the emerging challenges of our time."

Fido NXT image copyright of and supplied courtesy of FLIR Systems. Reproduced here with grateful thanks.

Find out more about FLIR Systems

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Satellite System For Earthquake Detection

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions could one day be predicted - from space.

Scientists are developing a new satellite system that will monitor the Earth's seismic activity from space, which could potentially allow advanced notice of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The TwinSat project is to put two nano-satellites into low Earth orbit 400km apart, both working to collect and interpret electromagnetic signatures emitted from the Earth's surface. The two linked satellites will monitor zones with high seismic and volcanic activity, such as Iceland and the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia

The joint UK-Russian team working on the project plans to launch TwinSat in early 2015, with scientists saying the technology could help security agencies in anticipating natural disasters more effectively.

The project is a partnership between the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at University College London and two Russian institutions, the Institute of Physics of the Earth and the International Science and Technology Center.

The technology is based on the knowledge that before an earthquake or volcano, electromagnetic signals are released in the areas that will be affected. For example sensors picked up electromagnetic signals of seismic activivy before the devastating Haiti earthquake in 2010 (pictured), but they were only identified and analysed properly afterwards.

According to Dr Dhiren Kataria from University College London, one of the institutions involved in the programme, these signals are hard to detect on Earth. ‘The signatures are much too weak and the signal-to-noise level is much worse," he told The Engineer. "Also, to be able to observe it, you need the sensors to be very close to the earthquake site and that is not always possible because most of our ground sensors are at fixed locations." In space, however, such noise is reduced because it is a vacuum, which according to Dr Kataria means "the spread of the signal is over a much wider region, so you can capture it far easier".

Professor Vitaly Chmyrev from the Institute of Physics of the Earth said the technology could theoretically make "the Earth a safer place" by providing a far faster advance notice of impending seismic shifts, thereby creating a volcano eruption and earthquake early warning system. He said: "Just imagine if we could have accurately predicted the Haiti earthquake a few weeks before," said Professor Chmyrev. "Or if we had predicted the Icelandic volcano eruption that paralysed transport routes for weeks. The potential human and economic benefits are enormous."

Peter Sammonds, a Professor of Geophysics at UCL, said the technology was relatively cheap. "These satellites are absolutely incredible, you can almost hold them in the palm of your hand," he said. "If the project progresses as we want it to, we'll be able to send up several more of them to increase coverage."

Image Credit to: Marco Dormino/United Nations Earthquake Programme.

View the original article here

Satellite System For Earthquake Detection

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions could one day be predicted - from space.

Scientists are developing a new satellite system that will monitor the Earth's seismic activity from space, which could potentially allow advanced notice of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The TwinSat project is to put two nano-satellites into low Earth orbit 400km apart, both working to collect and interpret electromagnetic signatures emitted from the Earth's surface. The two linked satellites will monitor zones with high seismic and volcanic activity, such as Iceland and the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia

The joint UK-Russian team working on the project plans to launch TwinSat in early 2015, with scientists saying the technology could help security agencies in anticipating natural disasters more effectively.

The project is a partnership between the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at University College London and two Russian institutions, the Institute of Physics of the Earth and the International Science and Technology Center.

The technology is based on the knowledge that before an earthquake or volcano, electromagnetic signals are released in the areas that will be affected. For example sensors picked up electromagnetic signals of seismic activivy before the devastating Haiti earthquake in 2010 (pictured), but they were only identified and analysed properly afterwards.

According to Dr Dhiren Kataria from University College London, one of the institutions involved in the programme, these signals are hard to detect on Earth. ‘The signatures are much too weak and the signal-to-noise level is much worse," he told The Engineer. "Also, to be able to observe it, you need the sensors to be very close to the earthquake site and that is not always possible because most of our ground sensors are at fixed locations." In space, however, such noise is reduced because it is a vacuum, which according to Dr Kataria means "the spread of the signal is over a much wider region, so you can capture it far easier".

Professor Vitaly Chmyrev from the Institute of Physics of the Earth said the technology could theoretically make "the Earth a safer place" by providing a far faster advance notice of impending seismic shifts, thereby creating a volcano eruption and earthquake early warning system. He said: "Just imagine if we could have accurately predicted the Haiti earthquake a few weeks before," said Professor Chmyrev. "Or if we had predicted the Icelandic volcano eruption that paralysed transport routes for weeks. The potential human and economic benefits are enormous."

Peter Sammonds, a Professor of Geophysics at UCL, said the technology was relatively cheap. "These satellites are absolutely incredible, you can almost hold them in the palm of your hand," he said. "If the project progresses as we want it to, we'll be able to send up several more of them to increase coverage."

Image Credit to: Marco Dormino/United Nations Earthquake Programme.

View the original article here

Satellite System For Earthquake Detection

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions could one day be predicted - from space.

Scientists are developing a new satellite system that will monitor the Earth's seismic activity from space, which could potentially allow advanced notice of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The TwinSat project is to put two nano-satellites into low Earth orbit 400km apart, both working to collect and interpret electromagnetic signatures emitted from the Earth's surface. The two linked satellites will monitor zones with high seismic and volcanic activity, such as Iceland and the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia

The joint UK-Russian team working on the project plans to launch TwinSat in early 2015, with scientists saying the technology could help security agencies in anticipating natural disasters more effectively.

The project is a partnership between the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at University College London and two Russian institutions, the Institute of Physics of the Earth and the International Science and Technology Center.

The technology is based on the knowledge that before an earthquake or volcano, electromagnetic signals are released in the areas that will be affected. For example sensors picked up electromagnetic signals of seismic activivy before the devastating Haiti earthquake in 2010 (pictured), but they were only identified and analysed properly afterwards.

According to Dr Dhiren Kataria from University College London, one of the institutions involved in the programme, these signals are hard to detect on Earth. ‘The signatures are much too weak and the signal-to-noise level is much worse," he told The Engineer. "Also, to be able to observe it, you need the sensors to be very close to the earthquake site and that is not always possible because most of our ground sensors are at fixed locations." In space, however, such noise is reduced because it is a vacuum, which according to Dr Kataria means "the spread of the signal is over a much wider region, so you can capture it far easier".

Professor Vitaly Chmyrev from the Institute of Physics of the Earth said the technology could theoretically make "the Earth a safer place" by providing a far faster advance notice of impending seismic shifts, thereby creating a volcano eruption and earthquake early warning system. He said: "Just imagine if we could have accurately predicted the Haiti earthquake a few weeks before," said Professor Chmyrev. "Or if we had predicted the Icelandic volcano eruption that paralysed transport routes for weeks. The potential human and economic benefits are enormous."

Peter Sammonds, a Professor of Geophysics at UCL, said the technology was relatively cheap. "These satellites are absolutely incredible, you can almost hold them in the palm of your hand," he said. "If the project progresses as we want it to, we'll be able to send up several more of them to increase coverage."

Image Credit to: Marco Dormino/United Nations Earthquake Programme.

View the original article here