Physical Sciences Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810-1077

Physical Sciences, Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a PCS-Enabled Smart Device Toolkit that will reduce the cost of training personnel and the time required to detect, identify, and localize a radiological source. The ability to simulate the response of a radiation detector to a virtual source for training purposes will be developed. This simulation will be based on a data fusion algorithm to accurately localize the smart device using Bluetooth beacons and internal device sensors and a radiation propagation algorithm capable of describing the transmission and scattering of radiation through realistic occlusion environments. The toolkit will also be able to connect to handheld radiation detectors and receive, analyze, and display radiation measurements. The analysis the toolkit provides will include the Poisson Clutter Split algorithm developed by PSI that increases detection sensitivity by a factor of 2-3 over current commercial detection algorithms and provides real-time isotope identification. The toolkit will provide the results of this advanced algorithm to the operator from any radiation detector that complies with an open architecture for detectors developed under this program. All analysis results will be presented in a user interface optimized with basic research into the needs of end users of the technology. PSI will work with the subcontractor, FLIR Systems Inc., or other detector manufacturers to market the toolkit to customers of handheld radiation detector systems based on reductions in training costs and the detector-agnostic advanced analysis capability.

Spectral Labs Incorporated
15920 Bernardo Center Drive
San Diego, CA 92127-1828

In this SBIR topic, DNDO has identified the necessity for an optimized PRND UI which can run on a smartphone/device and can either communicate with actual detector hardware or receive simulated input from a software component based on the user's position relative to virtual source(s). This Spectral Labs Incorporated (SLI) proposal, 'RAD/NUC Smart-device User Interface & Training Environment' (RN-SUITE), is a comprehensive research program to make the essential paradigm shift. The proposed effort will develop an optimized User Interface (UI) to control and display readings from RAD/NUC detection, localization, and/or identification equipment in an 'Active Mode' and from Virtual Computer Based Inputs for a 'Training Mode'. The program will also develop an underlying training software system to feed data to the UI based on source beacons and localization techniques in order to provide simulation data to the UI to be used for a 'Training Mode'. Spectral Labs, with a support team of renowned RAD/NUC SMEs and augmented by an experienced human factors expert with years of experience in both human-machine interface and learning theory, will design and code an Optimized UI that can be run on Android and iOS Smart Devices. Spectral Labs will also develop the underlying training system and instructor UI to facilitate integrated training, resulting in a RAD/NUC Smart-device User Interface with Integrated Training Elements (RN-SUITE) that will suit a range of training CONOPS leading to highly effective training without need to transport radioisotope sources.

Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.
44 Hunt Street
Watertown, MA 02472-4699

Radiation Monitoring Devices has developed CLYC scintillation technology into a new detector type with its ability to simultaneously record and distinguish signals from gamma rays and neutrons. As with any detector, RMD is continuously striving to increase CLYC's active volume, which is most directly impacted by crystal growth. In parallel, RMD has also been evaluating techniques outside of growth that can provide similar benefits. A new technology that RMD proposes to develop, is to submerge multiple smaller CLYC scintillators together in a polymer matrix that serves as an optical light guide. The primary advantage is that only small size crystallites are needed, which are both easier to produce and much less expensive. Also, this technique may likely be the faster route to a steady supply of highly efficient, large volume CLYC detectors, outpacing directly grown single crystalline ingots. If as a polymer, styrene and vinyltoluene doped with wavelength shifters such as PPO are used, the new composite detector can add fast neutron detection as an additional modality. Due to the significant difference between the light decay of the gamma and neutron events in the plastic scintillator matrix and in the CLYC scintillator, events can be easily attributed to each material and excitation type using pulse-shape discrimination. Most importantly, the cost of such a detector can be significantly lower compared to high quality single crystals of inorganic scintillators.

CapeSym, Inc.
6 Huron Drive
Natick, MA 01760-1325

The goal of this program is to produce large-volume composite scintillators using smaller, easy-to-produce CLYC crystals, as dual neutron-gamma radiation detectors for use in handheld and back-pack detection equipment for homeland security, and monitoring of nuclear material accountability.

Adelphi Technology, Inc.
2003 East Bayshore Rd
Redwood City, CA 94063-4121

We propose to develop the cost effective plastic-crystal composite scintillator that can enable multi-mode detection of gamma rays, fast neutrons, and thermal neutrons. To enable innovation beyond the current state-of-the-art, the proposed easy-to-fabricate-and-integrate composite scintillator will utilize the miniature crystals of CLYC elpasolite embedded into a plastic scintillator framework. Digital electronics will provide the ability to log time-stamped, list-mode-event data enabling neutron and gamma energy spectroscopy. This detector will provide gamma-and-neutron measurements with the isotope identification using the single sensor thus helping realize full potential of first responder operations.

TPL Inc
3921 Academy Parkway North, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109-4416

Orphaned radioactive sources represent an ever-increasing security threat as potential materials for fabrication of "dirty bombs" and other illicit applications. According to the 2008 NAS report, the major radioisotope sources used in the United States are Cs-137 (~3M Ci @662keV) and Co-60 (~200M Ci @1.2-1.3MeV) for industrial radiography, measurement and irradiation applications. A large number of these sources are in industrial settings with challenging control and security needs. TPL proposes the development of a compact gamma-ray source that is cost and performance competitive with present radioisotope sources and does not require the use of radioactive nuclear materials. The design approach is a compact linear accelerator and emitter-target combination that are housed in a sealed capsule that will replace existing commercial sealed sources. TPL, in collaboration with Starfire Industries LLC (Starfire), Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL) and Dr. John Brainard (Sandia National Laboratories - Retired), have developed a unique approach to gamma-ray generation based upon work performed under a DARPA-ICONS program. Starfire will provide the gamma-ray generator tube. ORNL will provide the series-resonant drive design and selected components for the CW multiplier. TPL will design the capacitors and field-containment materials for the CW multiplier and assemble all components into a functional gamma-ray generator. Dr. Brainard will provide assistance and guidance with generator tube design and advise on ion sources and ion optics modeling. The compact (below 50lbs.) and low cost, (below $50k) system will replace radioactive sources for use in well logging, soil density, and active interrogation applications.

Euclid BeamLabs
5900 HARPER RD # 102
SOLON, OH 44139-1866

Few-MeV linac based X-ray machines are widely used for radiotherapy, cargo inspection and industrial radiography. These machines are large, weighing several tons. Several years ago truck mounted and relocatable systems extended the reach of this technology into field applications like bridge inspection. Recently man-portable systems were introduced, which typically are comprised of three modules that can be independently moved without heavy machinery and set up at the application location. There is no to date a linac-based x-ray machine that can be carried around in a single piece, and fit in tight spaces that replaces radioactive isotope - based devices in industrial radiography and well-logging. Euclid Beamlabs proposes an inexpensive, ultra-compact linac-based x-ray source that can fit in a suitcase as a possible replacement for radionuclides. This novel design is based on a dielectric-loaded accelerator. The use of ceramics makes the transverse size of the accelerating waveguide comparable to that of a pencil. Because of this size reduction, additional weight reduction of shielding becomes possible. Based on this technology in Phase I we will produce an engineering design of the 1 MeV x-ray system ready for manufacturing in Phase II. This device will provide a novel functionality on the x-ray market. It will be compact like low-energy x-ray systems (e.g. dental x-ray) but it will have higher energy x-rays due to use of linac-based few-MeV electrons. This device can replace radioactive isotopes used for radiography applications in hard to reach places. Other potential applications are active interrogation systems and well logging.