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Stand-off Detection of Alternative Signatures of Radiation

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Contract: HDTRA1-13-P-0003
Agency Tracking Number: T122-014-0158
Amount: $149,954.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: DTRA122-014
Solicitation Number: 2012.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-02-01
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2013-08-31
Small Business Information
825 S. Myrtle Ave.
Monrovia, CA -
United States
DUNS: 195754056
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Prakash Koonath
 Scientist
 (626) 471-9700
 prakash.koonath@tanner.com
Business Contact
 Kevin Dinniene
Title: CFO
Phone: (626) 417-9778
Email: kevin@tanner.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

Prevention of the smuggling of radioactive material into the United States to be used by terrorists in a nuclear weapon or in a radiological dispersal device, such as in a"dirty bomb", is a key national security objective. It is desirable to have a system capable of stand-off detection to monitor and rapidly alert the presence of covert nuclear materials. Tanner proposes to develop a compact laser based sensor system to detect the presence of alternative signatures of radiation. Radiochemical reactions between ionizing radiations and the atmosphere lead to the production of radicals such as ozone (O3) and various oxides of nitrogen. Concentration of these species above normal background levels is an alternative signature of radiation. Tanner will develop a stand-off detection system that can search for covert nuclear materials via a detection of the presence of trace quantities of ozone. In Phase I of this effort, we will demonstrate the stand-off detection of trace quantities of ozone over distances of 1 meter. In Phase II, these results will be scaled to design and develop a compact prototype stand-off detection system that is capable of operation over distances as long as 20 m and with automatic data collection, analysis and display of relevant data.

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

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