Year
2008
Abstract
Global nuclear expansion will likely involve the deployment of new types of reactors as well as large-scale, complex facilities for fuel enrichment and fabrication, interim spent fuel storage, spent fuel reprocessing, and long-term waste storage. The spread of sensitive fuel cycle facilities, material, equipment, and technology will inevitably increase the potential for misuse by state or non-state actors. In response to these challenges, the international safeguards system, already under heavy strain, will need to develop innovative approaches and technologies that optimize safeguards implementation at both the facility and state levels. At declared facilities, especially sensitive bulk handling facilities, priorities include development of measurement technologies that can characterize more complex material forms and adoption of process monitoring systems that operate in unattended mode and transmit data in real-time. To strengthen capabilities to detect undeclared activities, priorities include development of improved field-portable applications for detection and identification of nuclear materials, including tools for rapid screening and preliminary characterization of environmental and other samples. Safeguards technology development should leverage cross-cutting fields such as radiation detection and information technology with significant potential to revolutionize tools and methods for verifying declared materials and detecting undeclared activities. Similarly, a robust training element is necessary to ensure that current and future safeguards professionals can make optimal use of advanced tools and methods.