Breakthrough dual Gamma and Neutron Imager improves nuclear safety

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), will launch its new radiation detection technology, the CORIS360 Gamma Neutron Imager (CORIS360 GNI), at the 2026 Waste Management Symposia in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, this March.  

The CORIS360 GNI introduces new imaging technology able to detect, identify and localise nuclear materials through both gamma and neutron signatures. This unprecedented neutron imaging ability improves nuclear security and safeguards capabilities, as well as significantly enhancing radiation protection activities at nuclear facilities.

The CORIS360® technology is already used internationally for clearing nuclear facilities, in non-proliferation activities and in radiation protection. 

Many will remember the monumental search for a pea-sized radioactive capsule lost in the Western Australian outback in 2023. The lost capsule was found by a team from ANSTO, working beside other commonwealth and state authorities, using the CORIS360 GNI’s predecessor, the CORIS360®. 

The CORIS360 GNI model adds thermal neutron imaging to CORIS360®’s gamma-ray imaging capability, while maintaining CORIS360®’s imaging performance and functionality.

“CORIS360 GNI represents a major step forward in radiation imaging,” said Dr David Boardman, Chief Technology Officer and Principal Scientist, ANSTO Detection and Imaging. “Its ability to rapidly and simultaneously image gamma-ray and thermal neutron sources sets a new standard for the industry.”

Both invented and manufactured at ANSTO, the CORIS360 GNI is currently the only commercial technology to image gamma-rays and thermal neutrons. Using its patented compressed sensing technique, CORIS360 GNI images up to ten times faster than traditional imagers, is portable, and comes with two plug-and-play detector modules to optimise performance based on the scenario. 

The system overlays the gamma and neutron images onto a 360° optical panorama of the surrounding area, visually showing users the exact location of the radiation source/s. 

Applications for the device include nuclear security, border protection, safeguards, defence, nuclear decommissioning projects, nuclear operations and radiation protection activities. 

Traditionally, workers use handheld radiation detection equipment to scan for potentially harmful sources of radiation. This can result in unnecessary worker dose exposure, greater costs, slower clearing times, is resource intensive and can be open to user error. CORIS360 GNI, on the other hand, is operated remotely, can scan an entire area, container or piece of equipment in a single acquisition and requires minimal time and resources to operate. 

ENDS