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TwitThisStopping Nukes at the Border
A cargo ship docks at an American port and longshoremen begin unloading hundreds of crates. Hidden inside one is a suitcase-size nuclear weapon. How might it be discovered?Accelerator Nuclear Materials Detector
How it works: A standard X-ray system that peers into a closed cargo container will only reveal if there's a large, dense mass inside. This device, however, can spot radioactive materials such as uranium or enriched plutonium, even if they are concealed behind a lead shield. Beyond the accelerator detector's use at our borders, the device could help safeguard sites like chemical plants and embassies.
Who is working on it: The Department of Energy's Los Alamos and Idaho labs, in partnership with Aracor in Sunnyvale, Calif.
When it will be ready: About 12 months.
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