This program involves the development of a nuclear detection web for counter-terrorism based on BTI’s ultra-sensitive “Defender” neutron detector. The Defender Web is designed for the simple and rapid detection and interdiction of illicit radiological/nuclear (RN) materials that may be used in nuclear bombs or radiological dispersal devices (i.e. “dirty bombs”). In this project, BTI has instrumented its Defender detectors with an electronic readout for real-time radiation measurement and have been interfaced to cell phones to provide GPS, local user alarms, and wireless data communication capability. Data is transmitted to a central command center, where a tiered, scalable data management server and application (developed by Xwave Solutions) handles the two-way flow of sensor data and presents relevant information to the end-user.

In this project, BTI and Xwave worked with the support of five federal agencies to develop and test the prototype Defender Web. Federal partners included: Health Canada (lead agency), DRDC-Ottawa, Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Police Research Centre, and Transport Canada.