News

San Diego State Builds Radiation Detection System

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 03/02/09

San Diego State University's Homeland Security Program and its Immersive Visualization Center (Viz Center) are partnering with Defentect and other vendors to establish a permanent gamma radiation detection perimeter system. The program demonstrates best practices and solutions to deter, detect, and defend against the illicit transport of radiological materials, which are the core components of dirty bombs.

The research demonstration will also help develop techniques for using radiation to assist with Homeland Security and business applications such as moving cargo across borders, oceans, and airways in secure and innovative ways.

The university's Viz Center is involved with testing and displaying cutting-edge technology to address terrorism. The new installation consists of Defentect's GT2 gross gamma radiation detection sensor system and its DM3 sensor management, monitoring, and messaging platform; OnSSI Ocularis IP Video command-and-control software; and the Axis P3301 Fixed Dome Network Camera and the Axis 233D Network Dome camera. Axis network cameras mobilize to target a detected threat and monitor the area for individuals who are contaminated by or transporting gamma-emitting radioactive materials.

"People can visit the Viz Center's courtyard and experience firsthand the efficiency of the gamma radiation detection system via Defentect's monitoring software," said Eric Frost, co-director of the Viz Center and the Homeland Security Master's Degree Program at the university. "This program is one more way Viz Center is working to evaluate and enhance tools and technologies to help both public and private entities deal with potential hazards with accuracy and speed--important in the face of mounting and unseen threats."