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Thermal Neutron Analysis (TNA) Based Mine Detection System - Feasibility Study

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: DAAB07-02-C-J209
Agency Tracking Number: A012-0609
Amount: $69,959.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2002
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
2950 Patrick Henry Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054
United States
DUNS: 008011236
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Douglas Brown
 Vice President
 (408) 961-9708
 doug@ancore.com
Business Contact
 Patrick Shea
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Phone: (408) 961-9710
Email: pat@ancore.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

"Thermal Neutron Analysis (TNA) is a non-intrusive detection technique that can specifically detect landmines by measuring the high nitrogen density in the explosives. This technique is well suited for a confirmatory sensor that can work in conjunction withexisting anomaly mine detection sensors, which have high false alarm rates. The proposed Phase 1 program will use an electronic neutron generator (ENG) in an experimental and engineering trade-off study to determine the best sensors for the mine detectionproblem. The measure of performance will be the signal-to-noise level obtainable within the time budget allotted for a confirmatory sensor that is derived from the overall US Army goals for mine clearing. High-efficiency and medium-resolution sodiumiodide (NaI(Tl)) scintillators, and lower-efficiency and high-resolution hyper-pure germanium (HPGe) solid-state detectors will be compared. Measurements will be made using a laboratory "sandbox" with buried (simulated) mines of different sizes and amodified TNA measurement system. From the data taken, an extrapolation of the performance (Probability of Detection (PD)/Probability of False Alarm (PFA)) for a field system will be made. The results will be documented in a final report. If thefeasibility study is successful, a Phase 2 program to build and field-test a prototype, will be proposed. The TNA based mine detection sensor has a unique ability to detect the presence of all hi

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

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