The main objectives of the research and of the overall project are:

-To develop inspection systems based on the use of alpha particle tagged 14 MeV neutrons for the detection of threat materials.

- To evaluate, compare performance, and improve inspection systems based on the use of x-rays, gamma rays and neutrons, and to develop a concept of multisensor inspection system.

- To prepare a conceptual design of a country wide system with inspection instrumentation for

airports, harbors, road and railroad border crossings with the aim of reducing terrorism risk

by controlling illicit trafficking of explosives, chemical agents, nuclear material, and humans

on the borders of Croatia.

These objectives could be reached in collaboration with a knowledgeable research

group from INFN Padova under the leadership of dr. Giancarlo Nebbia. In collaboration with them a proper choice of equipment items has been made and the Neutron Laboratory at the Institute Ruder Boskovic has been upgraded to the modern facility in which it was possible to implement the proposed work plan.

The collaboration with the End users, in this particular case Custom office in Rijeka,

has proven to be of indispensable benefit. Custom office in Rijeka is operating a Smiths-Heimann x-ray system for the inspection of the container’s cargo. They use the information from the x-ray sensor to check on the cargo manifest. Neutron sensor is supposed to check only the volume in the container which is found to be suspicious because of some reasons. Through collaboration with custom officers scientists in the Institute were able to learn what the real problem the End user faces is. Therefore, the conceptual design of two sensor system proposed as the result of the work on this project is acceptable to the customs and will improve their efficiency in controlling illicit trafficking.