Detector science at ORNL supports nuclear monitoring, safeguards, and nonproliferation by translating advanced sensing and imaging into tools for real-world use. This work connects directly to ORNL’s broader detector strengths: high-resolution radiation imaging, precise characterization, advanced diagnostics, and the ability to build complete detector systems by advancing sensor system electronics, software, materials, and data acquisition technologies from end to end.
ORNL’s national security vision emphasizes improved sensing and detection to provide translational solutions for national and global challenges, including monitoring and verification for nuclear arms control, maritime sensing, emergency response, real-time nuclear material accounting, and the development of new data science methods and detector technologies for extreme environments.
For example, imperfect field environments require sensor systems to operate in changing conditions – such as temperature extremes or in the rain – yet still perform at peak performance levels. ORNL is developing cutting-edge field detection systems that are highly efficient, very low power (operating on milliwatts), integrate multiple disparate sensor streams, and integrate edge computing with AI/ML for advanced decision making.
Applying Detector Science to Hard-To-Assess Objects and Materials
ORNL’s gamma imaging and neutron radiography capabilities are designed to determine the location, quantity, and type of radiation within closed objects or containers, helping support nuclear arms control monitoring and verification, transportation monitoring, reactor infrastructure integrity study, and real-time nuclear material accounting. These detectors rely on continued advances in detector active volumes, electronics, imaging methods, and analysis workflows.
Precise Characterization
ORNL’s integrated analytical capabilities support rapid and legally defensible nuclear forensics and safeguards work by helping determine the composition, origin, and intended use of nuclear materials. Together, ORNL’s nondestructive imaging and destructive analysis provide a distinctive end-to-end capability: detect, characterize, interpret, and support action.
Automated Sensing Platforms With Embedded AI
Many of ORNL’s systems and platforms combine advanced detectors, edge computing, and AI to enable autonomous and/or rapid response solutions for monitoring, emergency response, and national security applications. For example, ORNL’s CANINES (Coordinated Autonomous Navigable Instruments for Nuclear Emergency Search) can rapidly identify anomalies, adapt to changing environments, and provide actionable information in real time; and the CRAFTI (Compact Radiation detection Array For Tracking and Interdiction) integrates sensing modalities spread across geographic locations.