Advancing Radiation Detection Equipment for Detecting Nuclear and Other Radioactive out of Material Out of Regulatory Control
Closed for Proposals
Project Type
Coordinated Research ProjectProject Code
J02012
CRP
2102
Approved Date
30 September 2016Project Status
ClosedStart Date
28 April 2017Expected End Date
27 May 2022Completed Date
20 February 2023Participating Countries
Albania, Burkina Faso, China, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Sri Lanka, Russian Federation, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine, Viet NamDescription
The current state of radiation detection instruments and systems used to detect illicit trafficking in nuclear or other radioactive material is inadequate to meet the nuclear security needs of the Member States. Research under this CRP will assist in advancing design attributes, communication means, operational conditions, and sustainability elements related to radiation detection instruments and methods. The advances will be supported by research and development on current detector materials to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of systems through improved or alternative detection and identification algorithms, improved understanding of equipment performance and recommendations for more effective use or design, improved designs for networking and information communication, improved alert and alarm mechanisms and displays, and recommendations on functional, test, and technical specifications for detection systems. The CRP will involve detection systems for use at both designated and undesignated points of entry.
Objectives
The goal of the CRP is to develop technical documents, hardware designs?and software,?training materials and approaches, and information tools for radiation?detection instrument improvements that can be used by Member States to effectively implement and sustain nuclear security detection architectures and the systems used?for detecting nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control.
Specific Objectives
Form technical documents on recommendations for networking of systems and attributes of information that should be available and share between national and international stakeholders with methods of communication.
Development of improved technical designs, tools, and understanding of radiation detection equipment and specifications for improved performance.
Development and testing of new approaches for instrument design and application including improved radionuclide libraries and detection functionality.
Development of detection equipment lifecycle cost estimating tools and technical guidance on repair and replacement of radiation detection system hardware.
Development of software tools that can analyse the performance of radiation detection systems.
Form technical documents on recommendations for networking of systems and attributes of information that should be available and share between national and international stakeholders with methods of communication.
Development of improved technical designs, tools, and understanding of radiation detection equipment and specifications for improved performance.
Development and testing of new approaches for instrument design and application including improved radionuclide libraries and detection functionality.
Development of detection equipment lifecycle cost estimating tools and technical guidance on repair and replacement of radiation detection system hardware.
Development of software tools that can analyse the performance of radiation detection systems.
Impact
CRP J02012 has significantly bolstered global nuclear security by improving the detection and management of unregulated nuclear and radioactive materials. Through international collaboration, the project has led to the development of advanced radiation detection technologies and methodologies, thereby strengthening the ability of member states to prevent, detect, and respond to illicit trafficking and unauthorized use of such materials. The CRP has produced tangible technological innovations including AI-based detection algorithms, UAV-integrated systems, and advanced spectroscopic methods that are being operationally deployed by Member States. The research has directly enhanced the technical capabilities of front-line officers through improved equipment specifications, training methodologies, and maintenance protocols developed from extensive field testing and validation studies. This initiative has not only enhanced technical capabilities but also fostered a cooperative framework among nations, contributing to a more secure and safe global environment.
Relevance
This CRP was highly relevant in today's global nuclear security landscape. As illicit trafficking and unauthorized use of nuclear materials pose significant threats to national and international security, this project directly supported efforts to strengthen nuclear and radiation monitoring capabilities. The research addressed critical operational gaps identified by Member States, including equipment sustainability challenges, performance optimization under diverse conditions, and the need for enhanced detection algorithms to address emerging threats. The collaborative approach enabled knowledge transfer between developed and developing nations, ensuring that advanced detection technologies and methodologies are accessible to all participating Member States regardless of their technological baseline. The CRP's focus on practical implementation and field validation ensured that research outcomes directly translate into operational improvements for nuclear security systems worldwide. By fostering innovation in detection technologies and enhancing collaboration among Member States, CRP J02012 played a crucial role in mitigating nuclear security risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting international commitments to non-proliferation and public safety.
CRP Publications
Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, Albania
Journal Article
2021
PRELIMINARY RESULTS RELATED TO HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS FOR ADVANCING RADIATION DETECTION EQUIPMENT'S
Ankara University Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Masters' Thesis
Investigation of the applicability of coplanar grid CdZnTe detectors to determine 235U enrichment in samples and development of an algorithm to analyze of the masked gamma-ray spectrum
Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Conference Presentation
2020
An overview of Vietnam's research activities on emerging technologies for Nuclear Security in the digital age: current opportunities, future outlook and the IAEA support" at ICONS2020, Technical Session 3F
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Conference Presentation
Research work presented at the 29th Symposium of the Hellenic Nuclear Physics Society (HNPS-2021), held in hybrid mode at the Auditorium of the NCSR "Demokritos" Conference Center, 24-25 September 2021
Burkina Faso, Autorité Nationale de Radioprotection et de S?reté Nucléaire
Masters' Thesis
Forecasting Costs for an Effective Nuclear Security Detection Systems
Ankara University Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Conference Poster
2017
H. Yücel, "Assessment of educational approaches to strength the physical protection regime of Turkey from point of view nuclear security culture," IAEA-CN-254-20, International Conference on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (PPNMNF), 13-17 Nov. 2017, Vienna, Austria
Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Conference Presentation
2021
"Nuclide identification algorithm for polyvinyl toluene scintillation detector based on the artificial neural network" at Technical meeting on Artificial intelligence for Nuclear Technology and Applications, 25-29 October 2021
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Journal Article
2021
A Clouvas, S Xanthos, A Boziari, F Leontaris, I Kaissas, M Omirou, "PERFORMANCE OF HANDHELD NAI(TL) SPECTROMETERS AS DOSIMETERS BY LABORATORY AND FIELD DOSE RATE MEASUREMENTS," Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Volume 194, Issue 4, May 2021, Pages 233–248
Institute for Nuclear Research, Ukraine
Journal Article
2018
Bondarkov D.M., Kulich N.V., Myznikov D.E., Zheltonozhskaya M.V., Zheltonozhsky V.A. "NON-DESTRUCTIVE METHODS OF 90SR MEASUREMENT," RAD journal, Vol. 3, issue 1, p. 41-64
Ankara University Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Technical Document
2019
HPGe detector experiment sheets developed for laboratory practice on Advancing Techniques for Complex Spectra Analysis in Nuclear Security
Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board
Conference Paper
2020
R. A. N. C. RANASINGHE, P. D. MAHAKUMARA, P. N. G. RATHNAWEERA, K. K. B. KARIYAWASAM, C. MASSEY, I. CHAIRAM, "Improved Specifications, Performance, and Understanding of Radiation Detection Equipment used for Nuclear Security – Outcomes of participation in IAEA Coordinated Research Activities"
Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand
Conference Presentation
2022
Development of Data Transmission Device for Personal Radiation Detectors" presented at IUPESM world congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering 2022, Singapore. Full paper accepted for publication in IFMBE conference proceeding, SpringerNature
Ankara University Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Conference Poster
2020
"Use of radiation detection instruments in laboratory practice for nuclear security education," IAEA-CN-278-57 International Conference on Nuclear Security 2020: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts, 10-14 February 2020, Vienna, Austria
Ankara University Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Master's Thesis
2020
Development an algorithm for isotope identification using Bayesian statistical method and investigating the applicability of this algorithm on LaBr3 (Ce) scintillation detectors
Ankara University Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Conference Presentation
2020
"Investigation of radioisotope source masking effects on uranium gamma-ray spectra in determining of 235U abundance in uranium samples," IAEA-CN-278-145, International Conference on Nuclear Security 2020: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts, 10-14 February 2020, Vienna, Austria
Ankara University Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Technical Document
2019
NaI well-type detector experiment sheets developed for laboratory practice on Advancing Techniques for Complex Spectra Analysis in Nuclear Security
Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, Albania
Conference Presentation
2020
"Results related to Human Factors Engineering Specifications for Advancing Radiation Detection Equipment's" at International Conference on Nuclear Security 2020: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts, 10-14 February 2020, Vienna, Austria. Track classification: MORC: Detection technology development and performance testing
State Nuclear Security Technology Center, China
Conference Poster
2020
"The development of LaBr3 detection system which can realize rapid identification and analysis of radionuclides" presented at ICONS-2020
Ankara University Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Technical Document
2019
Intelligent NaI detector experiment sheets developed for laboratory practice on Advancing Techniques for Complex Spectra Analysis in Nuclear Security
Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, Albania
Conference Poster
2019
"Human Factors Engineering - an Overlooked Aspect in Specifications for Radiation Detection Equipment's" at International Conference RICOMET 2019, 1-3 July 2019, Spain, IS Global Barcelona, Institute for Global Health
Ankara University Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Master's Thesis
2021
Investigation of the applicability of gamma spectroscopic technique with NaI(Tl) detector to in-situ radioisotope identification for radiological safety purpose