Modular Radiological Survey Imaging System (MRSIS)

There is a need for compact and light-weight radiation detectors that can be mounted on drone technologies to perform remote and/or geo-mapping. Remotely-controlled systems have a proven record of entering dangerous environments in support of search-and-rescue or similar operations. These environments may instead contain sources of radiation; yet, few attempts have been made to incorporate radiation detection capabilities into these systems. The proposed modular radiological survey imaging system (MRSIS) can potentially fill this need. The MRSIS coupled to a drone could be used for routine maintenance checks of nuclear facilities, military operations, and source search scans, including efforts to monitor residual radiological contamination at important sites (Hanford). In addition, the MRSIS’s designed modularity will permit a single system to adapt to many unique or changing situations. The MRSIS will leverage previously developed next-generation radiation detection technologies, that are compact, light-weight, low-power. The COTS neutron and gamma-ray sensors will be packaged in a configurable system, paired with GPS and reach-back communication electronics. The MRSIS will be developed to serve as both standalone units and as part of a mesh network of multiple detector units. The MRSIS can be distributed around an area of suspected contamination (via drone, personnel, or air-drop) where they can record their findings along with a synchronized timestamp and GPS location and either report measured radiation levels in real-time or record and store them for later retrieval. The MRSIS can also be worn and/or held by an operator in order to provide ground-level walkabout mapping of radiation levels. Should an ultra-wide-area survey be required, the MRSIS can be mounted to a remotely-operated drone to provide a rapid survey of a radiologically-contaminated area. The low-cost, long single-charge operational lifetime radiological monitors are suited for use in applications that require geo-tagging (through GPS and motion sensors), data- logging, and long-range reach back (through integrated GSM or similar radios). Real-time, wide-area 2D mapping information will provide a safety level not presently achievable by contemporary radiation monitors and survey methods.