Plasma Focus researchers develop non-radioactive X-ray for metals

Cesar Moreno, who heads the "Plasma Focus" physics research group at the University of Buenos Aires, has co-developed a "non-conventional setup" for taking X-rays of metallic objects sans the need for nuclear hardware. Based on "plasma focus hard X-ray" technology, this newfangled approach differs from more traditional routes -- which require irradiating the items to be scanned with radioactive element -- by demanding only electricity and a rather large workspace. After seven years of toil (and potential exposure to incredible amounts of gene-altering radiation), he was finally able to display photos of a "camera, door lock, and a bolt fixated to a metal bar" as proof of a working machine. The device can reportedly take photographs that pass through any type of metal up to 25-millimeters thick (including moving objects) without a single "trace of radiation or heat generated during the process." Although Moreno has a lot of red tape to clear before we see his invention in radiography labs, the $10,000 prize he captured for his work should certainly provide adequate motivation to get things moving.

[Via The Inquirer]

[Brendan @ Oct 30th 2006 1:10AM]

Great, now we can see through iron panties without using radiation!

[guilt+1 @ Oct 30th 2006 4:01AM]

Will it work on a Safe or other securely locked containment device ?.

[elflaco @ Oct 30th 2006 6:49AM]

Sounds cool but but since they only mention metals, I am assuming it's not safe for it to be used on people.

[B @ Oct 30th 2006 7:01AM]

I don't get it. If his device is emitting x-rays, then it's radiation; if it's not, then it's not an x-ray. What's this thing actually do?
X-rays = radiation

[J @ Oct 30th 2006 8:15AM]

it doesn't cause the target to become radioactive

btw, the dense plasma focus is also being used to research a very interesting fusion power source. much more interesting than better xrays IMO

www.focusfusion.org

[John Stracke @ Oct 30th 2006 8:36AM]

X rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation--i.e., light. What this device doesn't involve is *nuclear* radiation--i.e., neutrons and protons. X rays themselves aren't completely safe--think of them as high-power microwaves--but neutrons are worse.

[Big Eat @ Oct 30th 2006 7:17AM]

"the $10,000 prize he captured for his work should certainly provide adequate motivation to get things moving"

I'm sure it cost him or the University more than $10,000.

[furtim @ Oct 30th 2006 8:20AM]

B, did you read? This device replaces "more traditional routes -- which require irradiating the items to be scanned with radioactive element". Your garden variety dental X-rays, of course, don't require radioactive elements to be sprinkled on the target, but they also don't need to work through metal.

The key distinction is that we're talking about radioactive decay and not EM radiation. Obviously, any X-ray machine will emit EM radiation. This one sees through metal without needing the other kind.

[Steve @ Oct 30th 2006 9:56AM]

Sounds like we're one step closer to a fully working security checkpoint for our Total Recall trips to Mars.

[Dolomite @ Oct 30th 2006 10:17AM]

#1 No method of radiography causes the target to become radioactive, this would be stupid
#2 There certainly are industrial X-Ray tubes that run off electricity and penetrate thick metal
What this device seems to do is produce the "hard" x-ray beams that are normally obtained by using radioactive source elements such as Ir-192. this would be good since working with radioactive source material can be more dangerous than traditional x-ray tubes since there is no way to turn off a radioactive element in case of an accident.