nsol 2004-12-21 14:00:19
Nuclear Solutions Technology Update: Application Feasibility of Gravity Based Detection for Shielded Nuclear Weapons validated by U.S. Government Sponsored Research
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Nuclear Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:NSOL)
released the following:
Use of gravity to detect nuclear weapons was researched by the U.S. government
in the early 1990s and found to be potentially viable for arms control
applications under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Now Nuclear
Solutions, Inc. is working to produce a gravimetric sensor that overcomes the
limitations of previous designs for the purpose of practically and effectively
detecting a "loose nuke" in transit through a border entry point.
"The levels of radiation emitted by weapons-grade plutonium and uranium are
relatively low, and easy to shield," said Nuclear Solutions Chief Executive
Officer Patrick Herda, "which makes conventional detection practically
impossible under several very likely transit scenarios."
The Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) has previously sponsored research and
experimentation into the concept of detecting and quantifying nuclear warheads
for arms control verification applications by measuring their associated
gravitational signatures. Proof-of-principle experiments were performed to
characterize the capabilities and limitations of gravimetric detection for
applications related to START.
The research report, entitled Proof of Principle Tests: Gravity Gradiometer
Utility for Onsite Inspection Applications (Contract No. DNA001-90-C-0168),
concluded, "Using current gravity gradiometer technology, (it was) demonstrated
that gravitational signatures of simulated (weapons) can be measured
successfully" and that "gravity gradiometry accurately and reliably
discriminated small variations in mass distributions as well as small
asymmetries in mass."
Although the experiment validated the potential utility of using gravitational
signatures for arms control applications, it did not address the problems
anticipated in gravitational signature collection in an actual inspection. It
found that "identification of a particular missile system (i.e., its specific
identity) will require future signal analysis and algorithm development."
"I found the experimental results from the DNA report to be very encouraging for
our present development effort," Herda said, "keeping in mind that the previous
experiment did not evaluate our new approach and should not be mistaken for
government validation of our patent-pending technology."
He added, however, "the principle of measuring changes in gravitational fields
to determine the existence of a mass anomaly that could signal the presence of
heavy metals was successfully carried out in the DNA experiment, and its
feasibility, given a robust and fieldable sensor pack, is not in question."
Development of Nuclear Solutions' new sensing concept may result in a highly
sensitive, portable, and low-cost detection system that responds to minute
gravitational gradient anomalies produced by high-density nuclear materials like
plutonium and uranium -- and is unaffected by radiation shielding techniques.
When fully funded and developed, this patent-pending approach using gravimetric
sensing techniques could become a useful tool in the fight against nuclear
terrorism worldwide.
Nuclear Solutions is progressing as anticipated with its intellectual property
development, and further updates concerning the company's shielded nuclear
weapons detection technology and European business development activities are
expected within the next two weeks. Additionally, a progress update on nuclear
micro-battery technology is expected by the end of January.
About Nuclear Solutions, Inc.:
Nuclear Solutions, based in Washington, D.C., is an emerging innovative
technology development company that is committed to exploring, developing, and
commercializing viable product technologies enabling partner companies to offer
new and improved products in the following areas:
Nuclear Weapon Detection for Homeland Security & Defense
The development of advanced technology to detect shielded nuclear materials and
terrorist nuclear weapons
Nanotechnology/MEMS applications
The development of long-lived nuclear micro-power sources, based on three U.S.
Patents (5,087,533; 6,118,204; 6,238,812), to power applications in the emerging
field of Nanotechnology, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, and the new
generation of low power microelectronics.
Environmental Technology
Development of a patent pending process to remediate tritiated water via an
advanced separation technique.
More information about Nuclear Solutions, Inc. may be found on its website,
www.nuclearsolutions.com.
Disclaimer: The matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking
statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties such as our plans,
objective, expectations and intentions. You can identify these statements by our
use of words such as "may," "when," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend,"
"could," "estimate," "goal," "continue," "plans," "planning," "would," "when,"
"feasible," or other similar words or phrases. Some of these statements include
discussions regarding our future business strategy and our ability to generate
revenue, income, and cash flow. Additional funding is required to develop the
technology described herein. The actual future results for the Company could
differ significantly from those statements. Factors that could adversely affect
actual results and performance include, among others, the Company's limited
operating history, dependence on key management, financing requirements,
technical difficulties commercializing any projects, government regulation,
technological change, and competition. In any event, undue reliance should not
be placed on any forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of
this press release. Additionally, patent pending status does not guarantee that
a patent will issue or that the technologies herein, including gravimetric
sensor technology will be commercially successful. Accordingly, reference should
be made to the Company's periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
CONTACT: John Dempsey, Vice-President
Nuclear Solutions, Inc.
202-787-1951
info@nuclearsolutions.com
