Aimed at a fundamental understanding of materials that demonstrate measurable changes when stimulated by radiation or particles from WMD in the environment, Thrust Area 1 involves exploration and exploitation of interactions between materials and various electromagnetic phenomena, molecules, nuclear radiation and particles. These interactions may be correlated with the presence, identity, and quantity of material or energy in the environment that may be significant. Specific target capabilities include the following:

RN Standoff Detection and Wide-Area Search

Development of unconventional methods for RN detection to be used by the warfighter at distances beyond current short range capabilities (>100m).

RN Point Detection

Development of novel materials and technologies as alternatives to cooled HPGe for gamma detection, NaI:Tl with PMTs for gamma detection, and 3He Tubes (with moderation) for neutron detection, focusing on reducing size, power requirements, and cost when integrated into man portable and vehicle mounted systems that operate with high energy resolution, at room temperature and low power, with high signal to noise ratio.

Technical Nuclear Forensics

Development of methods to the forensics timeline by developing near real-time and in-field assessment of post-detonation debris through new collection and analytical techniques to support attribution.

For a list of what we have funded in the past, see our Complete Award History (Excel).

• DTRA-funded Researchers Develop Low-Cost, High-Performance Organic Photodetectors for Radiation Sensing

• Idaho State University Pushes the Limits of Standoff Detection of Fissile Materials

• UCLA Researchers Develop Nanohybrid Scintillators with Light Yield Twice That of the Best Commercial Plastic Scintillators

• Sandia Scientists Demonstrate a Unique “Nanolaboratory” for Design of Novel Scintillators for Radiation and Chemical Detection

• New Class of Gamma Detecting Materials Discovered by Northwestern University Show Promise for Room Temperature Detectors

• University of New Mexico Researchers Develop Method to Analyze Post-detonation Debris in the Field without the Need for Chemical Separation

• University of Michigan Researchers Demonstrate Solid State Room Temperature Radiation Detectors with the Resolution of HPGe at a Fraction of the Fabrication

• DTRA-funded Researchers Develop Novel Gravimetric Sensors for Detection of Dense Materials at Standoff Distances at 1000 Times the Sensitivity

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