Towards a commercial prototype for Cosmic Ray Tomography
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
National nuclear security is currently a hot topic in light of terrorist attacks on Western cities in recent years. The fear that a non-state actor with malicious intent could commence a nuclear attack on our nation is real. To stop these materials entering the UK, the plan is to scan all cars and cargo containers. The best technique for scanning is cosmic ray tomography (CRT). This is because cosmic muons are highly penetrating, are naturally occurring and have a high rate. This means that it is impossible to screen against and since no above-background radiation is introduced one cannot trigger the device during the scan.
Starting November 2009 we have successfully built a Cosmic Ray Tomography system based on high resolution resistive plate chambers. This mini-PIPPS project has been very successful. Now that the feasibility study is complete, we need to make the next step and study the main issues for producing an RPC system suitable for commercial exploitation. The main issues to make that next step are: the maximum strip length, reduction of the number of read out channels and sealing the RPCs. In this project we focus on the reduction of readout chips. To reduce their number we will study the potential of capacitively coupled floating strips. These strips are not connected to the readout chips, but share their charge with their neighbors until the charge is shared with a neighbor that is connected to the readout chip. This is a well-known "trick" in silicon detectors and we want to study the potential for our detector systems. This will make RPC-based systems significantly cheaper to build. Completion of this proposal will allow our collaboration to commercially exploit STFC developed technology for the benefit of UK industry.
Starting November 2009 we have successfully built a Cosmic Ray Tomography system based on high resolution resistive plate chambers. This mini-PIPPS project has been very successful. Now that the feasibility study is complete, we need to make the next step and study the main issues for producing an RPC system suitable for commercial exploitation. The main issues to make that next step are: the maximum strip length, reduction of the number of read out channels and sealing the RPCs. In this project we focus on the reduction of readout chips. To reduce their number we will study the potential of capacitively coupled floating strips. These strips are not connected to the readout chips, but share their charge with their neighbors until the charge is shared with a neighbor that is connected to the readout chip. This is a well-known "trick" in silicon detectors and we want to study the potential for our detector systems. This will make RPC-based systems significantly cheaper to build. Completion of this proposal will allow our collaboration to commercially exploit STFC developed technology for the benefit of UK industry.
Publications
Baesso P
(2013)
A high resolution resistive plate chamber tracking system developed for cosmic ray muon tomography
in Journal of Instrumentation
Baesso P
(2014)
Toward a RPC-based muon tomography system for cargo containers.
in Journal of Instrumentation
Baesso P
(2012)
High resolution muon tracking with resistive plate chambers
in Journal of Instrumentation
Baesso P
(2012)
Muon scattering tomography with resistive plate chambers
Baesso P
(2015)
Degradation in the efficiency of glass Resistive Plate Chambers operated without external gas supply
in Journal of Instrumentation
BAESSO P
(2012)
Muon scattering tomography with resistive plate chambers
Cussans D
(2013)
A readout system for a cosmic ray telescope using Resistive Plate Chambers
in Journal of Instrumentation
Dobrowolska M
(2020)
Towards an application of muon scattering tomography as a technique for detecting rebars in concrete
in Smart Materials and Structures
Dobrowolska M
(2021)
Development of muon scattering tomography for a detection of reinforcement in concrete
in Engineering Research Express
Dobrowolska M
(2018)
A novel technique for finding gas bubbles in the nuclear waste containers using Muon Scattering Tomography
in Journal of Instrumentation
Description | We have developed a large scale system to use muon tomography to detect nuclear bombs hidden in cargo containers. We have done extensive modelling and simulations to demonstrate that the system is good and fast enough to be used for real. We have used the knowledge developed in this project to build a new large scale detector for nuclear waste imaging on a H2020 grant. We are now also developing traction in industry for other types of inspection sign muons and Dr Velthuis joined an IAEA mission as an expert on muon tomography. |
Exploitation Route | We are applying the knowledge we acquired in the nuclear sector and we are trying to commercialise some of the knowledge we acquired.We are discussing with several industry partners in various sectors and we got an EU grant to develop it further towards nuclear waste. Through the EU grant we are now also working with European waste management organisations. |
Sectors | Construction Energy Environment Government Democracy and Justice Security and Diplomacy Transport |
URL | http://www.chance-h2020.eu |
Description | We have set up a spin out company, but that is still in a very early stage. Unfortunately, the spin-out company is no longer trading. We received an EU H2020 grant to further develop the technology in collaboration with the nuclear industry. In addition, we have done a project for Engie Laborelec and are doing a longer term project with Cavendish Nuclear. Unfortunately, we cannot divulge the outcomes of these projects due to confidentiality clauses. Dr Velthuis joined an IAEA mission as muon tomography expert. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Construction,Energy,Security and Diplomacy,Other |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | H2020 |
Amount | € 3,981,548 (EUR) |
Funding ID | NFRP-2016-2017-1 755371 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start |
Description | STFC IAA Muon tomography for inspection of civil nuclear structures |
Amount | £33,131 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | STFC IAA extension muon tomography inspection of civil nuclear structures |
Amount | £33,034 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2020 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | AWE partnership |
Organisation | Atomic Weapons Establishment |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | With the financial support from AWE we have been able to expand the program and continue well after the STFC funding ran out. We have further developed this technology to detect nuclear bombs in cargo containers. |
Collaborator Contribution | AWE has funded more equipement, a PhD student and academic time. |
Impact | We have published several papers (see the publication section), we have now received an EU grant (see next collaboration section) and set up a spin out company. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Cavendish Nuclear |
Organisation | Cavendish Nuclear |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | In partnership with Cavendish, we are further developing muon tomography for an inspection project or them. We are developing new algorithms and refurbishing our detector system for a deployment of the system. |
Collaborator Contribution | In partnership with Cavendish, we are further developing muon tomography for an inspection project or them. They provided funding and expertise to undertake the work and prepare us for a deployment of our detector technologies. |
Impact | We have published one paper (10.1088/1361-665X/ab7a3f) and have a second one close to submission. The outcomes of the rest of the project are classified. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Engie |
Organisation | Engie |
Country | Global |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We developed novel algorithms and did a feasibility study of crack detection in concrete drums. |
Collaborator Contribution | They steered our research and development work by giving us details and guidance of their challenge. |
Impact | The final report is key confidential. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Company Name | Advanced Muon Inspection & Monitoring Systems Ltd |
Description | |
Year Established | 2016 |
Impact | The company has seized trading. |