Smiths Detection Launches Advanced Portable, Rugged Radiation and Nuclear Threat Detector
15 September 2008
Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business, Smiths Group, today announced the launch of its high performance radioisotope identifier (HPRID), a next generation handheld device for detecting and identifying highly enriched uranium, plutonium and other radioactive materials.
The HPRID was developed specifically to address the limitations of existing technologies by providing an instrument that is more accurate, sensitive and rugged, and able to easily discriminate threats from benign radioactivity.
Stephen Phipson, group managing director of Smiths Detection, said: “This detector offers a higher level of detection capabilities to military ER teams and will have significant application for emergency responders, as well as cargo and vehicle screening. Its accuracy and speed of analysis represent a significant leap forward in radiation detection performance.”
Developed for use in various field inspection environments, the HPRID is capable of taking faster, more accurate measurements of localized radiation. It can detect multiple sources, determining whether the radiation is innocent or a threat, and can identify materials despite attempts to shield radiation sources. Additionally, the technology can identify substances often used in ‘dirty bombs.’
The HPRID includes three types of detectors; a large sodium iodide (NaI) crystal, a neutron detector and a Geiger-Müller (GM) tube. The GM tube alerts the responder to high levels of radiation, while the NaI crystal and neutron detector identify and analyze the specific potential threat. Additionally, using Symetrica’s Discovery technology and an easily expandable onboard radioisotope library, the handheld is capable of detecting and identifying masked or shielded threats that are problematic for legacy systems. The Discovery technology is a highly sophisticated isotope detection and identification system based on techniques, designs and expertise developed from Symetrica’s extensive experience in the detection and identification of radiation in both terrestrial and space applications.
Cherif Rizkalla, president of Smiths Detection, Americas, said: “The HPRID was designed with advanced detectors and sophisticated algorithms to identify a threat, even in the presence of hotter benign radiation. In plain language, individuals seeking to smuggle or deploy a radiological threat can no longer hide behind a hotter source of radiation.”
