Lt. Col. Nick Prins

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Progress in Detection of Nuclear Materials

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The Transformational and Applied Research Directorate (TAR) was established within DNDO to conduct, support, coordinate, and encourage an aggressive transformational program of Research and Development (R&D) that will dramatically improve national capabilities to detect and report attempts to import or transport a nuclear device, Special Nuclear Material (SNM), or radiological materials intended for illicit use. TAR seeks to identify, explore, develop, and demonstrate scientific and technological approaches that address gaps in the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA), dramatically improve the performance of nuclear detection components and systems, or significantly reduce the operational burden of radiological/nuclear detection. Transformational R&D is carried out within three major programs: Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATD), Exploratory Research (ER) and Academic Research Initiative (ARI). DNDO and the National Science Foundation (NSF) jointly initiated the ARI program in 2007 to foster innovative research in radiological and nuclear detection at academic institutions as well as train the next generation of nuclear engineers and physicists. Through annual research solicitations, a potential $58 million in grant opportunities over five years will be made available to colleges and universities focusing on research in radiological/nuclear detection systems, individual sensors or other research relevant to the detection of nuclear weapons, special nuclear material, radiation dispersal devices and related threats, as well as nuclear forensics. ARI seeks to invest in potentially high-risk concepts that could result in high-payoff solutions that have not been considered before. Since ARI’s inception in 2007, 31 grants have been awarded to 26 universities. In 2009, DNDO will fund $10.4 million in 28 continuing efforts and will award approximately $3.1 million towards 8 new projects. An ARI Grantees Conference is held annually in Washington D.C. to review progress and promote collaborations between universities, private industry, and national laboratories.