You are here

Real-Time Portable Neutron Spectroscopy

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Contract: HDTRA1-07-P-0240
Agency Tracking Number: T071-002-0080
Amount: $99,959.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: DTRA07-002
Solicitation Number: 2007.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2007-06-07
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2007-12-06
Small Business Information
1777 Highland Drive Suite B
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
United States
DUNS: 969868298
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Dominique Fourguette
 Senior Scientist
 (734) 975-8777
 dfourguette@michiganaerospace.com
Business Contact
 Pete Tchoryk
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (734) 975-8777
Email: ptchoryk@michiganaerospace.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

One of the critical gaps in homeland security is the inability to efficiently detect and identify kilogram-size samples of Special Nuclear Materials (SNM, uranium and transuranic elements). Unlike other forms of radiation produced by SNM (e.g. gamma rays), penetrating neutron emission is unique to fissionable material and difficult to obscure with passive shielding. The current state-of-the-art in neutron detection is not suitable for field applications. Michigan Aerospace Corporation, in collaboration with Professor James Ryan and his group at University of New Hampshire, proposes to develop a compact, light weight neutron spectroscopy instrument. This instrument, based on the successful Fast Neutron Imaging Telescope prototype, will be sensitive to neutron energies < 1 Mev, and will have a response time suitable for identification of materials both in passive and active interrogation. The proposed instrument is based on the Fast Neutron Imaging Telescope (FNIT), a Position Sensitive Plastic Scintillator Detector conceived and developed at the University of New Hampshire for the Inner Heliospheric Sentinels program. Such a neutron imaging device is highly suitable for locating SNM by detecting fission neutrons and reconstructing images of their source. The instrument will be able to locate a neutron point source and report the fission spectrum.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government