Award Data

The detection of radionuclide aerosols is a critical indicator of a nuclear detonation. Current detection systems used in the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty’s  (CTBT) global monitoring network stations spend 24 hours collecting and concentrating particulates from the air to gather enough sample material for adequate detection sensitivity. This approach is inherently a batch process that ...

Concrete has been used in construction for centuries and is a mature technology for building large structures, but the industry is conservative in embracing new technologies. Lightweight concrete structures are not currently employed for electromagnetic interference (EMI) / electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and blast protection. Creare proposes to fabricate high strength lightweight concrete by using a ...

The current state-of-the-art radiation detection materials have different drawbacks limiting their applications in the next-generation mobile radiation detection system. NP Photonics proposes to develop a novel scintillating glass that can be used to make large form-factor scintillators for nuclear battlefield operations. The proposed scintillating glass has the advantages of low cost, short decay ...

As the single largest consumer of materials and energy use worldwide, the construction sector remains a prime target for materials reuse reform. (Krausmann et al., 2009; De Ia Rue du Can & Price, 2008). Construction and ongoing operation of the built environment extracts a significant amount of resources -- and on an ongoing basis. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), buildings ac ...

Field-portable radiation detectors are a widely used technology for defense, environmental monitoring, and industry applications dealing with radioactive sources. From nuclear weapon accident emergencies to routine monitoring for health and safety, having reliable, field ready equipment is essential for mission success. However, the alpha and beta radiation detectors currently available in the mar ...

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as a pervasive and persistent threat to drinking water throughout the world. Called ‘forever chemicals” because their high stability leads PFAS to build up in the environment. PFAS accumulates in the blood from exposures and is associated with various cancers and other illnesses. There is an urgent need for a technology that can both remo ...

We propose to develop an innovative, inexpensive process to destroy poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and provide safe drinking water to millions of U.S. residents.Need. PFASs are highly resistant to breakdown in the environment and pose risks to developmental, immune, metabolic, and endocrine health. The drinking water supplies for millions of U.S. residents exceed the U.S. EPA’s life ...

The detection of radionuclide aerosols is a critical indicator of a nuclear detonation. Existing sensors as part of the International Monitoring System operate in a batch process and typically have a 48 to 72 hour delay between aerosol sample collection and measurement activities due to limits of instrument sensitivity. The continuous, instantaneous measurements of atmospheric aerosol radiation le ...

In Phase I, we propose next generation of windowless radiation detectors which will be low power for long field use, compact, extremely rugged, cost effective, easy to use, and reliable. Field-portable radiation detectors are a widely used technology for defense, environmental monitoring, and industry applications dealing with radioactive sources. From nuclear weapon accident emergencies to routin ...

Infrasound measurements are used by DTRA and the DoD for nuclear test monitoring, terrorist blast forensics, battle damage assessment, and environmental monitoring. However, these long wavelength physical signals are typically recorded through single-point sensors or sparse low density arrays. As a result, the critical signals of interest are often corrupted or masked by noise or interference that ...