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20 January 2016 www.cargobusinessnews.com tech trends NEW x-RAy MAChiNE CAN dETECT NUClEAR MATERiAl hiddEN iN CARgo CoNTAiNERS Photo credit: Craig Chandler, UNL Communications Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln believe their portable X-ray machine can see radioactive material even when it's hidden. The physicists developed a laser-driven X-ray that can detect uranium as small as a nickel hidden behind 3 inches of steel. The research, funded by the Department of Homeland Security, could be used to help inspectors detect nuclear materials attempted to be smuggled inside any one of the 100 million-plus cargo containers shipped around world each year. It cannot only see uranium, but other explosives as well. "We're able to find that needle in the haystack with this new type of x-ray source, which we developed here at UNL," said Donald Umstadter, director of the Diocles Extreme Light Lab. "Anything that is invisible normally, we can now see. Not only did Superman have X-ray vision, he was also small and fast, and that's what we need to do with our device." Umstadter believes they can make the X-ray small enough to fit into a van, maybe even placed in a drone. And because it uses laser technology, it can shoot a beam long distances, emitting lower levels of radiation that make it safer for workers or bystanders. "You want the freedom to look at cargo containers anywhere in the world under any circumstances, and we think this technology provides you with that freedom," Umstadter said. Umstadter and Shouyuan Chen (pictured above), a UNL research assistant professor of physics and astronomy, presented their findings at the International Meeting on Laser-Driven Radiation Sources for Nuclear Applications at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 15. An article describing their findings will appear in the January issue of the journal Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, B. For more of the KETV News story: www.ketv.com CN RAilWAy ASkRAil APP gAiNS MoMENTUM WiTh fiRST RESPoNdERS Canadian Northern Railway has announced that more than 1,500 first re- sponders along its rail network have downloaded the AskRail mobile app to access real-time information about the contents of rail cars in their communities. As of this month, more than 1,000 firefighters, emergency response managers and police officers in Canada have signed up for AskRail, plus nearly 500 from communities in the U.S. along CN's network. Through AskRail's mobile interface, emergency respond - ers – the only parties eligible to use this mobile application – can view railcar content through a simple search. The app, developed by the Association of American Railroads, also can provide railway emergency contact information and reference resources to support incident response. "AskRail provides relevant information to emergency responders at the outset of an incident, which helps them make better informed decisions about how to respond effectively to a rail emergency," said Sam Berrada, CN vice- president of safety and sustainability. "CN continues to encourage first responders to download this important tool on their mobile devices." First responders along CN's network can get more information at www.askrail.us and can request the app, in English or French, by emailing CN at askrail@cn.ca. ShANghAi gETS ToUgh oN ShiP PollUTioN Shanghai will begin working with neighboring cities in the fight against pollution caused by ships across the Yang- tze Delta Region from this year, according to Zhang Quan, director of the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau. The governments of Shanghai and cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces will set up controlled areas and impose tough rules on emissions from vessels, Zhang told local legislators. Shanghai set the goal of decreasing the density of PM2.5 particles — a major contributor to air pollution — in its development blueprint. "It is not an easy goal to cut the density of PM2.5 particles to 42 micrograms per cubic meter by 2020," said Zhang. "And it is inadequate for Shanghai to fight alone." Measures to tackle pollution include providing ships at local ports with shore power while they are berthed. For more of the Shanghai Daily story: www.shanghai- daily.com