The National Academies Press

Currently Skimming:

Pages 35-54

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.

From page 35... ... The selection of container integrity improvements encompasses all modes and includes concepts not only of strengthened materials but also ways to use the commodity itself to help seal a leak. While the focus is clearly on large tanks such as those on rail tank cars, some of the container improvements may carry over to strengthening smaller containers such as those used to transport radioactive isotopes. Read the entire page →
From page 36... ... Several modes of transportation share similar underlying traits. For example, tank cars for trains and similar tanks in trucks and barges involve segments that are more or less cylindrical shells with end-caps of various forms. Read the entire page →
From page 37... ... • Technology readiness level • Development path • Challenges to successful implementation • Overall assessment These narratives are meant to provide key points of each technology's status, from which the results are compiled and summarized in terms of future development expectations. NOTE: for simplification, the team used a modification of the widely used nine-level National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Read the entire page →
From page 38... ... 3.3.3 Technology Developer Narrative 3 -- Company Technology Area. Networked RFID, ubiquitous sensors and cargo monitoring Product Description and Use. Read the entire page →
From page 39... ... Pressure gauges and chemical detection sensors Product Description and Use. The technology involves the embedding of sensors in products to detect chemical releases. Read the entire page →
From page 40... ... Given the large number of Hazmat shipments warranting active monitoring, the capability of embedded sensors to detect anomalous conditions at low thresholds and high reliability will benefit shippers, carriers, emergency responders, and government officials. 3.3.7 Technology Developer Narrative 7 -- Company: Technology No. Read the entire page →
From page 41... ... 3.3.11 Technology Developer Narrative 11 -- Company Technology Area. Fiber-optic/photonic sensors and optical scanners Product Description and Use. Read the entire page →
From page 42... ... Challenges to Successful Implementation. The SSP technology is specifically designed to have low life cycle cost, but it is initially a more expensive solution than the commercial marketplace can deploy for Hazmat shipments. Read the entire page →
From page 43... ... 3.3.15 Technology Developer Narrative 15 -- Company Technology Area. Intelligent video tracking and surveillance Product Description and Use. Read the entire page →
From page 44... ... 3.3.16 Technology Developer Narrative 16 -- Company Technology Area. Wireless Power Product Description and Use. Read the entire page →
From page 45... ... 3.3.18 Technology Developer Narrative 18 -- University Technology Area. Nanopiezoelectronics Product Description and Use. Read the entire page →
From page 46... ... Overall Assessment. This represents an extremely promising technology development in that it will enable tracking and monitoring of Hazmat shipments to occur with reduced cost of battery maintenance and replacement. Read the entire page →
From page 47... ... The primary target is tank car manufacturers or anyone who is interested in designing improvements to the crashworthiness of tank cars. Technology Readiness Level: 1. Read the entire page →
From page 48... ... 3.4 Technology Evaluation Results Table 3-1 contains summary evaluation results for all 23 most promising emerging technologies researched, listed in order of the technology developer narratives from Section 3.3. Tables 3-2 through 3-4 contain the outlook for technologies maturing during certain time periods. Read the entire page →
From page 49... ... during truck transport Networked RFID, ubiquitous sensors and cargo monitoring 3 Company Security and remote monitoring systems utilizing RFID, intrusion detection, biometrics, and wireless sensor and actuator networks 4-5 Short-term Products range from under $100 to thousands of dollars None specifically noted Products designed from silicon up to plastics, with industry proven wireless network protocol Networked RFID, ubiquitous sensors and cargo monitoring 4 – National Laboratory Infrastructure monitoring using passive, unpowered sensing technology 4 2-5 years Passive system: $0.05-$0.10 per tag and $2,000 per reader; active system: $50-$100 per tag Finding development funding can be a constraint in customizing technology for new application, especially if no forcing function exists; desirable if power can be available to transmit information up to 100 meters Eventually both the development funds and technology advancement will provide a solution for using this type of product, operating within a wireless network Networked RFID, ubiquitous sensors and cargo monitoring 5 – National Laboratory Monitor and track items in transportation and storage, using satellite and secure Internet to relay information 4 Short-term Several thousand dollars for fixed system of one RFID reader and communication transponder; cost of $100-$200 per package tag $500K to $1M would bring readiness to Level 5; also need large-scale industrial production of tags, readers and other system components, training of personnel, and establishment of infrastructure Primary market is shipments of sensitive nuclear materials Pressure gauges, chemical detection sensors 6 Company Chemical and radiation detection; over 140 products with different attributes 4-5 Short-term Variable acquisition cost; average payback of 3 months Sensors have a finite life Open platform for integration of third party sensors; target markets include industrial safety, civil defense, and petrochemicals Pressure gauges, chemical detection sensors 7 Company Indoor air monitoring 2 6-10 years $80,000acquisition cost The technology will have to be designed to be interactive with communication devices Can communicate via wireless; primary target market is buildings and homeland security Pressure gauges, chemical detection sensors 8 Company Chemical, biological, and radiological threat detection using nanowire technology 2 6-10 years Unit cost of $300 to wire and $100 to operate Need $10M in additional funding Interactive with communication and display devices; primary use is on shipping containers Pressure gauges, chemical detection sensors 9 Company Explosives detection using color metric barcodes 2 6-10 years Unit cost of $300 to obtain and under $100 to operate Need $3M in additional funding Product use will be limited to building infrastructure unless the technology can be integrated with other products in order to serve transport vehicles and sensitive cargo Pressure gauges, chemical detection sensors 10 Company Chemical and explosives detection using gas chromatograph 4 Short-term Unit cost of $300 to obtain and under $100 to operate Need $3M in additional funding Primary target market is buildings with HVAC systems Fiber-optic/photonic sensors & optical scanners 11 Company Sensors using fiber-optics 1-2 6-10 years for optical scanner and in general, 2-5 years for some fiberoptic sensors $25-$400 per sensor; $400-$2M per optical scanner, depending on the production scale Need $900K in sensor development funds; need $4-6M in scanner development funds Has promise for not only vehicle and cargo monitoring but also infrastructure monitoring Table 3-1. Summary evaluation results of all developing technologies. Read the entire page →
From page 50... ... SSP design represents middle ground between passive tags and active seals. Advanced locks & seals 13 Company Two-way wireless monitoring and control of battery-operated sensors attached to cargo and assets 4-5 Short-term Cost depends on application; payback expected in 3-6 months No known impediment Includes geofencing and alerts in the event of tampering Intelligent video tracking & surveillance 14 Company Image capture and intelligent video analytics 4-5 Short-term $100-$1,000 No known impediment Integrates with access control; part of Open IP Alliance Intelligent video tracking & surveillance 15 Company Video content analysis software that processes surveillance camera images to support identity tracking 3 2-5 years $800-$1,000 per camera; $10,000 per server Need $800K in additional funding; possible privacy protection issues Interacts with multiple security-related technologies and systems Wireless power 16 Company Wireless power through radio frequency energy harvesting, supporting sensing, and tracking devices 4 Short-term $150- $200 per transmitter; $20 per receiving component Need to be compliant with regulations and standards regarding power levels Distributor used to bring technology into applications; training and supportability plans have been implemented Wireless power 17 Company Uses advanced material science and software algorithms to identify, profile and adapt wireless power delivery to various loads and configurations 4-5 Short-term Small per-unit cost when mass produced Application-specific uses may require addition R&D; shielding may be required to prevent interference in certain radio bands Primary market has been low power consumer electronics Nanopiezoelectronics 18 University Enables tracking and communication devices to be powered without batteries by capturing energy created by the environment 1-2 2-5 years Unit cost should be low, with quick payback time Need $2-3M in additional funding; so far only 3-4 volts can be produced; system design needs to be made more robust A very promising technology development that can produce electrical power from slight motions or vibration Plastic thin-film organic solar cells 19 Company Converts light to DC power 4-5 Short-term Dependent on application Requires integration via adherence or lamination with other technologies; must have electrical connection Basic product is in production Plastic thin-film organic solar cells 20 Company Wireless power from organic solar cells to operate sensors, lights, and cameras 4 2-5 years Not identified Need at least $10M in additional funding Product to be licensed to companies building devices requiring power Plastic thin-film organic solar cells 21 Company Builds proof-of-concept organic solar cell devices and licenses product to volume manufacturers 3-4 2-5 years Not identified Learning curve associated with making cells larger and at volume; additional development capital needed; dependent on business partnerships Materials used are generally standard and non-toxic Container integrity 22 Company Self healing/sealing jacket that is resistant to impact, thereby keeping cargo from releasing from container 3 2-5 years $100K-$500K, depending on the function Need $2.5M–$5M for fullscale testing Can embed tracking and monitoring devices; complementary with blast and fire mitigation technologies Container integrity 23 U.S. Read the entire page →
From page 51... ... Evaluation results of technologies available in the short term. Read the entire page →
From page 52... ... RFID may have some interference restrictions in some areas Encryption makes seals highly resistant to intrusion that escapes detection. SSP design represents middle ground between passive tags and active seals Intelligent video tracking & surveillance 15 – Company Video content analysis software that processes surveillance camera images to support identity tracking 3 2-5 years $800-$1,000 per camera; $10,000 per server need $800K in additional funding; possible privacy protection issues interacts with multiple security-related technologies and systems Nanopiezoelectronics 18 – University Enables tracking and communication devices to be powered without batteries by capturing energy created by the environment 1-2 2-5 years Unit cost should be low, with quick payback time Need $2-3M in additional funding; so far only 3-4 volts can be produced; system design needs to be made more robust A very promising technology development that can produce electrical power from slight motions or even vibration Plastic thin-film organic solar cells 20 – Company Wireless power from organic solar cells to operate sensors, lights, and cameras 4 2-5 years Not identified Need at least $10M in additional funding Product to be licensed to companies building devices requiring power Plastic thin-film organic solar cells 21 – Company Builds proof-of-concept organic solar cell devices and licenses product to volume manufacturers 3-4 2-5 years Not identified Learning curve associated with making cells larger and at volume; additional development capital needed; dependent on business partnerships Materials used are generally standard and non-toxic Container integrity 22 Company Self healing/sealing jacket that is resistant to impact, thereby keeping cargo from releasing from container 3 2-5 years $100K-$500K, depending on the function Need $2.5M - $5M for fullscale testing Can embed tracking and monitoring devices; complementary with blast and fire mitigation technologies Table 3-3. Read the entire page →
From page 53... ... DOT Research Organization Sandwich structure -- load blunting and energy absorption 1 6-10 years Not identified Need funding; must meet weight and space requirements Primarily intended for protecting railroad tank cars Table 3-4. Evaluation results of technologies available in 6–10 years. Read the entire page →
From page 54... ... Product operational in limited real-world environment 5. Product available for commercial use Networked RFID, ubiquitous sensors and cargo monitoring Pressure gauges & chemical detection sensors Fiber-optic/photonic sensors & optical scanners Advanced locks & seals Intelligent video tracking & surveillance Wireless power Nanopiezoelectronics Plastic thin-film organic solar cells Container integrity Figure 3-1. Read the entire page →

From page 35...

... The selection of container integrity improvements encompasses all modes and includes concepts not only of strengthened materials but also ways to use the commodity itself to help seal a leak. While the focus is clearly on large tanks such as those on rail tank cars, some of the container improvements may carry over to strengthening smaller containers such as those used to transport radioactive isotopes.