X-ray imaging is useful for seeing inside objects without causing damage, but until now it was not practical for use underwater. Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have developed the first X-ray imaging system that clearly reveals the interior of suspicious objects or infrastructure underwater.
A diver handling the compact, lightweight system can immediately view the X-ray images. The team also developed processing techniques that improve image clarity, offsetting the reduced intensity of X-rays as they pass through liquid.
“Until now, no practical underwater X-ray generator existed,” said ORNL’s Paul Groth. “Seeing inside submerged objects required a source of gamma radiation that posed safety risks for the diver and the marine environment,” and usually also caused delays for image processing on land. The innovation is being commercialized by industry partner The Sexton Corporation and won a 2025 R&D 100 Award for innovation.
The new imaging platform, which has been field tested in ocean environments, could eventually be enhanced for inspecting ships and weld joints on bridge supports, pipelines and oil rigs.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the DOE’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. – S. Heather Duncan
