Unmanned Aerial System for Radioactive Source Search

Author

William J. Lynch, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow

Date of Award

5-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Nuclear Engineering

Major Professor

Howard L. Hall

Committee Members

Jason P. Hayward, Lawrence H. Heilbronn

Abstract

A novel system of airborne radiation survey and source localization is built and tested. In the United States the National Nuclear Security Administration is currently using a two tier approach that uses a manned fixed wing airplane and manned helicopter to survey nuclear disaster zones. The novel system proposed takes the operators out of harm's way and allows for higher resolution radiation surveys at a cheaper cost. This proposed system also allows the operators to locate a source rapidly in the event that a source is stolen or lost. This proposed system is configurable for most radiation detectors that are compatible with Python and a Raspberry Pi.

The goal of this system is to produce a vehicle agnostic, configurable radiation survey and source localization sensor package that can take data from one or multiple vehicles.

Recommended Citation

Lynch, William J., "Unmanned Aerial System for Radioactive Source Search. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2021.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/6229

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