Developing the next-generation shipping container scanning system

Following the preliminary proof of concept results (NuSec Pilot Project coordinated between the University of Bristol and the AWE) this PhD will work to design and implement a multi-radiation detector system installed onto an overhead container gantry crane - the type of which are deployed worldwide to load and unload cargo from ships. Rather than relying on the current radiation detection capability that only scans a limited number of shipping containers - dedicating a small measurement time to each, as this (retrofittable and small form-factor) system is attached to the moving crane, 100% of containers will be evaluated. Through utilising the c. 30 seconds per container move, this system will be further advantageous in enabling both tomographic and fully spectroscopic analysis to be undertaken of any radioactive material within the container.

Through initial GEANT4 scenario modelling, the project will first work to optimise the detector setup by identifying the idealised parameters through which to collimate and control the field of view of the sensors; positioned at the four corners as well as in the centre of the crane - bets optimising the size, location, collimation and spectral readout of the sensors.

Working alongside maritime engineers (for example Royal Haskoning DHV and other stakeholders) and applying the theoretical optimal values from the modelling, the most feasible engineering solution will be selected and engineered for upscaling to facilitate trial scenario testing and validation.

The spectral and tomographic function will be developed. This will start with the tomography systems previously developed at the University of Bristol, adapted for the engineering solution above and enhanced to include the ~50 m drop of the sensors as they approach the container.

The final step will involve system testing, refinement and full concept validation to enable full-scale on-site deployment at stakeholder sites of the final engineered solution.

Maximising impact is at the heart of the NuSec network, through the use of a range of funded impact activities that lie at the heart of the network's objectives. In this extension proposal we will continue to identify pathways to impact across the broad range of network activities.

Here we describe the wider impact that the NuSec network has achieved during Phase 1, and will continue to deliver in Phase 2.

1. The Beneficiaries
(i) Society - the nuclear security agenda is critical to national safeguarding and to the protection of society. A strong engagement between government agencies, academic and industry generates a benefit for all of society. A good example from Phase 1 of the network was our NuSec workshop on alternative technologies for the oil well logging industry. This brought together ~30 senior oil industry experts from Europe and US for a 2 day workshop at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Cambridge University.
(ii) People - the network continues to provide cross-fertilisation of technical expertise between research disciplines and the integration of the various stakeholder communities. Those engaging with the network extend their skills set and experience. The network offers grants to support a wide range of professional and researcher development skills, and to provide technical training opportunities to benefit researchers.

2. How the Network Activities will deliver Impact
The network delivers impact directly through its programme of regular and occasional activities.

Developing Strategic Partnerships
The network's primary objective has been to establish a forum for discussion and collaboration between the academic, industrial and defence sectors. This has accelerated the development of a strong research community in the nuclear science area, and has acted to broker interactions and partnership between the academic and MoD/Home Office communities. Our strategic partners each offer a unique input into the programme and are fully involved with the regular network meetings and technical workshops. Both the network's Management Group (MG) and End User Panel (EUP) are made up of key stakeholders who monitor the network's progress towards developing strategic partnerships. The independent Steering Board, representing the interests of the stakeholder groups, ensures the development of partnerships through these various activities.

Technology Development
The network will continue to receive direct funding from AWE to support pilot studies and small proof of concept studies. These are challenge-led projects that are focussed on the requirements of these government agency stakeholders. In this way the network develops technology demonstrators that address government requirements, for example as defined by the national counter terrorism strategy CONTEST which addresses the "...highest impact terrorist risks including even nuclear materials..." In Phase 1 of the network, NuSec awarded 15 of these pilot projects to UK Universities, which addresses technical challenges identified by the End Use Panel.

Dissemination activities
All network outputs are unclassified, and the majority are publicly available and openly disseminated, including technical workshop presentations, results from pilot studies, scoping documents and position papers. Dissemination uses a dedicated website to promote the network activities and outputs, and the University's Surrey Research Insight digital open access repository to store and disseminate network outputs and documents. The network showcase meeting will publicise the network outputs to a wider audience.

Supporting Researcher Engagement: The network will provide a series of opportunities for researchers to develop their technical skills and knowledge.

Full details are given in the separate Pathways to Impact Statement