Scanning for nuclear terror threats

26 Oct 2005 | News
A spin-out from the University of Southampton, UK, has a new “scintillation detector” that it says can help stop radiological threats at airports and elsewhere.

In this age of terrorism, governments are looking for better ways to catch any dangerous cargoes passing through airports, terminals and other public places.

A spin-out at the University of Southampton says it has developed a new, more-effective type of detector. It claims it’s ten times more sensitive than existing detectors, and can sense radioactive materials hidden behind steel or lead. It can also identify two or more radionucleides in a sample at once.

The company, Symetrica, spun out from the University of Southampton’s physics department in September 2002, and said it is seeking extra cash in 2006 to grow to meet some supply contracts.


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