Brookhaven researchers developing new counterterror technologies

Researchers at the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory are developing new sensor technologies to help protect the United States from would-be terrorists wielding nuclear weapons, dirty bombs, toxic chemicals, or explosives.

"These sensor technologies give us the capability to discern and identify minute quantities of radioactive materials, and also detect chemical and biological agents and explosives," said Ralph James, Brookhaven's associate director for Energy, Environment, and National Security. "When deployed at the nation's ports, bridges, tunnels, and transportation hubs, these sensors can help law enforcement agencies intercept dangerous materials before they are used in a terrorist attack."

Current technologies under development include:
* Cadmium-zinc-telluride sensors: these tiny sensors can detect gamma rays emitted by radionuclides of interest to terrorists, including caesium and cobalt. Unlike high-purity germanium detectors, which are expensive and must be kept chilled, these work at room temperature and are inexpensive.

* Large-volume xenon-based detectors: these xenon-gas-filled detectors are another room-temperature device that can detect and identify radioisotopes with great sensitivity.

* Thermal neutron camera: this highly sensitive helium-based imaging system uses a wire chamber and coded aperture to "see" fissionable radioactive materials, such as plutonium, from a distance.

* Mini-Raman LIDAR chemical sensor: this one-of-a-kind portable chemical sensor can locate and identify chemicals (like those used in nerve gas) in the air or deposited on surfaces from a safe distance, using laser scattering patterns to identify a substance's distinct chemical signature.

* Urban Shield: the Urban Shield initiative would integrate real-time data from a network of sensors distributed within a municipal area. This network would employ an array of meteorological instrumentation, satellite data, and detectors to identify and help track chemicals or radionuclides after a release, and provide crucial information to emergency responders.

•Date: 8th September 2003 • Region: N.America •Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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