High Intensity Acoustic Fields for Access Denial

40040 November 4, 1996 Scientific Applications and Research The Department of Energy is currently seeking advanced physical security techniques to support the safeguarding of nuclear material and weapon components at nuclear facilities. Current techniques are expensive, require extensive maintenance, and are personnel-intensive. A non-lethal means of delaying or restraining unauthorized intruders without harming them is sought. This project will evaluate the feasibility of high power acoustic fields as a non-lethal barrier technology for use in nuclear facilities. In Phase I, a site survey of a candidate facility or suitable surrogate will be performed to help establish requirements for the system; analytical models, developed for previous efforts, will be used to support the selection of the appropriate technology and approach to installation; and a conceptual design of a prototypical system will be developed. In Phase II, preliminary and final designs of the barrier system will be developed, and the system will be installed and demonstrated. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: The advanced barrier system for nuclear facility security should meet the requirements of a non-lethal system. Commercial applications of high power acoustic technology include crowd control/law enforcement applications, pest control, and accelerated removal of toxic containments from soil and groundwater.