SBIR-STTR Award

Integrated Circuits for Gamma Detector Read Out and/Or Gamma Spectral Signal Analysis
Award last edited on: 5/26/2023

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : DTRA
Total Award Amount
$1,321,640
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
DTRA20B-002
Principal Investigator
Michael Wu

Company Information

Nu-Trek Inc (AKA: Nu Trek Inc)

16955 Via Del Campo Suite 250
San Diego, CA 92127
   (858) 487-2172
   admin@nu-trek.com
   www.nu-trek.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 52
County: San Diego

Phase I

Contract Number: HDTRA221P0009
Start Date: 2/23/2021    Completed: 9/22/2021
Phase I year
2021
Phase I Amount
$173,982
The Nu-Trek team is proposing to develop µDet, a low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) read out integrated circuit (IC) for gamma and neuron detectors. µDet offers pulse shape digitization, which in turn enables gamma-neutron discrimination. This is a game changing capability that brings laboratory-level functionality to the field. In Phase I the Nu-Trek Team will develop a baseline design for the µDet readout IC that addresses a broad range of solid-state detectors, scintillators, SiPMs, etc. In Phase II the design of the µDet will be completed and it will be fabricated in a high-speed process. Phase II will culminate with the design of a number of prototype detection systems that will be tested by our STTR partner. Gamma detectors are in broad use for defense and homeland security applications involving detection, tracking, and utilization of nuclear materials. Additionally, there are also many medical imaging, biphotonic, high energy physics, power plant, inspection, environmental, incident management and monitoring applications. The µDet will be especially enabling in applications requiring gamma-neutron discrimination as well as SWaP constrained applications such as handhelds, drone-based, unattended sensors, large sensing arrays, etc.

Phase II

Contract Number: HDTRA222C0005
Start Date: 7/1/2022    Completed: 6/30/2024
Phase II year
2022
Phase II Amount
$1,147,658
The Nu-Trek Team is developing the µDet, a low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) readout integrated circuit (IC) for gamma and neuron detectors. µDet offers pulse shape digitization, which in turn enables gamma-neutron discrimination. This is a game changing capability that brings laboratory-level functionality to the field. In Phase I the Nu-Trek Team developed a baseline design for the µDet readout IC that addresses a broad range of solid-state detectors, scintillators, SiPMs, etc. In Phase II the Nu-Trek Team will complete the design of the µDet, which will then be fabricated. Phase II will culminate with the design of 1-2 prototype detection systems that will be tested by the STTR partner. Gamma detectors are in broad use for defense and homeland security applications involving detection, tracking, and utilization of nuclear materials. Additionally, there are also many medical imaging, biphotonic, high energy physics, power plant, inspection, environmental, incident management and monitoring applications. The µDet will be especially enabling in applications requiring gamma-neutron discrimination as well as SWaP/C constrained applications such as handhelds, drone-based, unattended sensors, large sensing arrays, etc.