Abstract: A thermal power reactor (100) includes a reactor core (102) that generates thermal energy and a solid state thermal conductor (106) extending into and thermally integrated with the reactor core (102). The solid state thermal conductor (106) transfers thermal energy generated by the reactor core (102) away from the reactor core (102).

Abstract: A device for detecting a contaminant on a scaffolding pole. The device includes an outer detector for detecting a contaminant on an outer surface and an inner detector for detecting a contaminant on an inner surface. The device also includes a mechanism for transporting a scaffolding pole through the device, past the detectors. A contaminant is detected on the outer and inner surfaces of the scaffolding pole using the outer and inner detectors respectively.

Abstract: A system for surveying a surface (2) to measure a physical or chemical property associated with the surface. The system includes a handheld probe (4) measuring a physical or chemical property at locations over a surface (2). The video camera (12) captures video data of a user (6) using the handheld probe (4) to survey the surface. The depth sensing device (14) measures the distance to the handheld probe (4). Processing circuitry identifies the handheld probe from the video data and determines the position of the handheld probe (4) relative to the surface (2). A data recorder and/or a data transmitter records and/or transmits data representative of the physical or chemical property measured by the handheld probe (4) and data representative of the associated position of the handheld probe, when the handheld probe (4) is determined to be less than a threshold distance from the surface (2) being surveyed.

Abstract: A data processing system (10) for compressing gamma spectroscopy data includes a data input (18) for receiving data representing counts for each of a plurality of bins. The counts represent a set of binned gamma spectroscopy data. The data processing system (10) also includes a processor (20). The processor (20) is arranged to: read the counts in each bin; calculate a measure representative of the counts using the counts in one or more of the bins; choose, using the measure, which one of at least two compression schemes to use to compress the data representing the counts; and compress the data representing the counts according to the chosen compression scheme; and write the compressed data representing the counts to a data storage device (22).

Abstract: A method of enlarging the space beneath a masonry arch bridge which includes a masonry arch and a spandrel wall at each end of the masonry arch includes forming a movable portion of the masonry arch bridge by cutting the spandrel walls to form a cut on each side of the masonry arch. A lifting force is applied to the masonry arch to raise the masonry arch to a raised position. The masonry arch is then secured in the raised position.

Abstract: A method of assaying potentially radioactive material comprises selecting a plurality of samples from a material mass on a site (200). In a sequence of steps (104, 106, 108, 110, 112), an activity measurement based on a gross count of each of the samples (212) in the plurality of samples is performed on the site (200), and the activity measurement is compared with one or more activity thresholds in order to categorize the radioactive material for disposal purposes. The threshold(s) and/or activity measurement are based on an assumed parameter set. In a further step (114), sample x from every y of the plurality of samples is selected, where x<y, and a spectroscopic measurement of the emitted radiation from the sample x is performed on the same site (200). In a further step (116), it is automatically determined whether the spectroscopic measurement corroborates the assumed parameter set before the y samples leave the site (200) for disposal purposes.

Abstract: A method of enlarging the space beneath a masonry arch bridge which includes a masonry arch and a spandrel wall at each end of the masonry arch includes forming a movable portion of the masonry arch bridge by cutting the spandrel walls to form a cut on each side of the masonry arch. A lifting force is applied to the masonry arch to raise the masonry arch to a raised position. The masonry arch is then secured in the raised position.