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X-Ray Image of a Mini Sub

Caption:

This x-ray image of a mini sub was produced using the EagleŽ cargo inspection system, a sophisticated detection product capable of identifying contraband and terrorist weapons at ports of entry into the United States. [See also, EagleŽ cargo inspection system.]

More about this Image
The EagleŽ cargo inspection system was developed and produced by the Advanced Research and Applications Corporation (ARACOR) of Sunnyvale, California.

Development of the technology that allows the Eagle to do it's job began in 1981, when ARACOR received a Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. This would be the beginning of a 22 year period during which ARACOR would develop a computed tomography (CT) system, a powerful 3-D x-ray imaging approach. ARACOR entered SBIR Phase II the following year and obtained Air Force SBIR support as well.

The CT system has been used to x-ray such technology as rocket motors and nuclear weapons, and is used for quality assurance in the castings and automotive industries as well as for research. In 1997, ARACOR found a promising new use for high-performance X-ray imaging in the inspection of sea and air cargo containers and trucks at ports of entry. Using the same powerful imaging system components developed for its CT equipment, ARACOR designed and patented the EagleŽ, a mobile X-ray imaging system. ARACOR was recently awarded a five-year contract with the U.S. Customs Service for their EagleŽ system.

X-Ray Image of a Mini Sub
(Preview Only)

Credit: Credit ARACOR, Sunnyvale, CA
Year of Image: 2003

Categories:

SBIR (Sm. Bus. Innov. Rsh.)

Formats Available:

Restrictions:

No additional restrictions--beyond NSF's general restrictions--have been placed on this image. For a list of general restrictions that apply to this and all images in the NSF Image Library, see the section "Conditions".

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Last Modified: Mar 29, 2001