On the 15th May 2014 the joint Russian -Chinese Laboratory of Radiation and Inspection Control was opened at Tomsk Polytechnic University. Based on a particle accelerator developed by polytechnics - the betatron - TPU and China's PowerScan company will create “tailor-made” inspection systems for airports, customs and other protected sites.
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“In January 2013, during his visit to TPU Vladimir Putin looked a brand of Tomsk Polytechnic University - our betatron and proposed to create inspection complexes. This was the beginning of opening of our lab - Valery Borikov says, director of the Institute of Nondestructive Testing. - On the basis of our betatrons inspection and customs complexes in Sochi and on the border of Singapore and Malaysia have already worked.”
At the opening of the laboratory at TPU executive director of Chinese partner company Song Xiaoming came. She said that PowerScan had collaborated with Tomsk Polytechnic University for three years, and during this time with help of university scientists’ developments the company has significantly improved the quality of its products.
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“We use the betatrons developed by your scientists in our inspection complexes as a major part of this system - Song Xiaoming says. - When we started using your betatrons, we have significantly improved the work of our inspection systems and their reliability. We believe that the opening of the joint laboratory is beneficial for both sides. Together we will discover the most advanced technologies to be used in the inspection system worldwide.”
Today Tomsk Polytechnic University has a monopoly on the production of the smallest particle accelerators in the world - the betatrons. The polytechnics provide the betatrons for companies producing inspection complexes in many countries - Italy, Poland , Germany, USA , New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia. Now the polytechnics produce not only the betatrons, but also various inspection devices based on them.
“The advantage of the betatron is that it is cheaper than its only competitor – a linear accelerator, in three times, and it is more compact, it is possible to make small mobile units, - head of the Laboratory of Technical Tomography and Introscopy of TPU Sergei Chakhlov said. - Besides, a little trick of the betatrons allows see finer details. This is especially important for tomography. Now just such a unit is done for tomography.”
Particles inside the betatron accelerating and then abruptly slowing down give the effect of an X-ray shot. The X-ray produced in Tomsk accelerators can shine through steel up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) so it is used to control casting or welds on pipes of large diameter too. Wide range of applications of the installation allows the polytechnics producing “tailor-made” systems for order.
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“In this laboratory we will get invaluable experience in operation of the accelerators in inspection and customs complexes. Our experts will penetrate all the problems that arise with customers. Because all systems – they are quite complex objects and require good technical support. < ... > Each betatron – a piece- thing it is set individually, it is a complex device,”- Oleg Akhmedzhanov says, head of the Production Department of the Institute of NDT of TPU.
The parties expect that young scientists - postdocs from Russia and China- will deal developments in the new laboratory as well.
“We expect that the opening of the joint laboratory will allow more intensive postdoc exchange that they will have training, gain experience”.- Oleg Akhmedzhanov says.
Song Xiaoming, in her turn, said that now a few Chinese students studied at the Institute of NDT. “And we hope that they will earn PhDs,” - Song Xiaoming said.
To be reminded that the own inspection and customs complex (ICC) for oversized cargo based upon the polytechnics’ invention betatrons - particle accelerators, TPU presented a half year ago. The complex is set in a renovated building of 300 square meters behind the 10th building of the university (Lenin ave, 2).
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