ADVANCED MOBILE RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM UNVEILED TO DETER TERRORIST THREAT
M-PONDS Delivers Operational Breakthrough for Security at Seaports

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. – After months of development and testing, a team of New Mexico nuclear engineers today confirmed that they have completed creating a radiation detection system that provides unmatched operational benefits for both foreign and domestic seaport security. Scientists from Technology Management Consulting Services, Inc., and Global Transshipment Monitoring Co., today demonstrated their Mobile Point-of-Need Detection System, or M-PONDS, for officials from the U.S. Congress and federal agencies.

“We’ve done a lot of work to control radiological materials, but the world remains at risk. We must be ever vigilant as more nations and certain rogue groups try to get their hands on dangerous materials,” U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) said. “The M-PONDS device gives us another weapon for detecting and containing materials that could be used in weapons of mass destruction against us or our allies.”

M-PONDS, developed in conjunction with Thermo Electron Corporation, uses the latest spectroscopic radiation detection technology. It is capable of identifying the radioactive contents of cargo containers in a drive-through mode, and infers whether the source is shielded. M-PONDS mobility and versatility enables each container to be scanned – without negatively impacting the flow of goods.

“Our partnership with Thermo Electron has enabled us to integrate an advanced radiation detection system into M-PONDS that provides the best threat deterrent solution we have seen anywhere,” said Linda Majors, president of Technology Management Consulting Services, Inc.

“M-PONDS is immediately deployable and can augment current screening systems already in use,” said Louis Guillebaud, president of Global Transshipment Monitoring. “We stand ready to help the federal government in their efforts to create a seamless web of global container security. Our technology will help deny America’s enemies the opportunity to use maritime trade for terrorist activities.”

The radiation identification technology in M-PONDS identifies radiation present in industrial and medical cargoes as well as from common natural sources, so these containers can be quickly assessed and sent to their destination.

“Preventing weapons of mass destruction from being smuggled across our borders constitutes a fundamental priority in our national security strategy,” U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., said.  “As an original co-sponsor of H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act, I commend the efforts of New Mexico's entrepreneurs to address this critical challenge.  Thanks to their energy and creativity, New Mexico will continue to exercise a leadership role in keeping our families, neighborhoods, and communities safe and secure.”

The versatility of M-PONDS enables the detection events to be easily integrated into port logistics. There is no need for new construction or civil engineering work when the port configuration changes since M-PONDS can be deployed exactly where needed. The small-footprint system is completely self-contained with its own power source and wireless communications. M-PONDS integrates a passive radiation detection device, which is therefore completely safe for dockworkers.

“M-PONDS is the best operational solution we’ve seen that will enable scanning of containers at ports with maximum throughput while minimizing the disruption of commerce,” said Greg Wortman, Director of Global Marketing, Radiation Measurement & Security Instruments for Thermo Electron. “The system design was created by scientists and engineers who understand the realities of the port environment. We are proud to provide the spectroscopic technology and advanced software for the M-PONDS solution.”

Last month, scientists from three national laboratories (Los Alamos, Oak Ridge and Pacific Northwest) independently evaluated M-PONDS. During this technical review M-PONDS correctly identified all of the radionuclide test materials and properly assessed the threat level.

As a result of its immediate availability, officials from the private and public sectors are currently reviewing M-PONDS. The inventors say future applications may include land borders and airport security.

About Technology Management Consulting Services, Inc. (TMC)/Global Transshipment Monitoring (GTM)

As a nuclear engineering firm started in 1997, New Mexico-based TMC Services, Inc. focuses on the delivery of highly technical support, services and technologies to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) projects. A woman-owned business, TMC is rated at 92 (out of 100) by GSA Open Ratings for engineering service performance. TMC Services Inc. was named one of the best small engineering businesses of the year in 2005 by DOE. GTM is a wholly owned subsidiary of TMC and will manufacture, sell, deploy, and service M-PONDS units and networks. In addition, GTM offers related equipment and services to the Department of Defense, global commercial shipping companies, ports, airports, and railroads.

Thermo Electron Corporation is the world leader in analytical instruments. Our instrument solutions enable our customers to make the world a healthier, cleaner and safer place. Thermo's Life and Laboratory Sciences segment provides analytical instruments, scientific equipment, services and software solutions for life science, drug discovery, clinical, environmental and industrial laboratories. Thermo's Measurement and Control segment is dedicated to providing analytical instruments used in a variety of manufacturing processes and in-the-field applications, including those associated with safety and homeland security. For more information, visit http://www.thermo.com.