Challenge
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There was agreement among the experts that there was a lack of testing and training capacity in the EU for radiological and nuclear threats to critical infrastructure.
Focus of work
The Thematic Group focussed on the following three current areas:
- List-mode data acquisition based on digital electronics. Time-stamped list-mode data format produces significant added value compared to more conventional spectrum format. It improves source localisation, allows signal-to-noise optimisation, noise filtering, with some new gamma and neutron detectors requiring list-mode to function. List-mode approach also allows precise time synchronisation of multiple detectors enabling, for example, simultaneous singles and coincidence spectrometry such as singles gamma and UV-gated gamma spectrometry.
- Remote-controlled radiation measurements and sampling using unmanned vehicles. There are several measurement and sampling scenarios that are too risky for humans to carry out. Applications envisaged are: reactor and other accidents, dirty bombs before and after explosion, search of sources out of regulatory control etc
- Expert support of field teams, i.e. data moves instead of people and samples. Fast and high quality response can be achieved with less people. Optimal formats and protocols for reach-back.
In 2019, The ERNCIP thematic group on Radiological and Nuclear Threats to Critical Infrastructure (RN) had explored different options for future action and decided to focus on the following topic:
"Requirements and capabilities needed for testing of robotic equipment carrying measurement devices for the detection of CBRNE threats in an authentic environment"
For further details, please contact the ENCER OFFICE
Main deliverables
The reports produced by this thematic group are available in the knowledge hub.