The neutron emission unit is configured to emit neutrons such that a center axis (Nh) of neutron emission intersects a center axis direction of collimators (23a to 23e). A calculation unit is capable of generating information about an inspection object in the center axis direction of the collimators, based on position information of the neutron detector and/or position information of the neutron emission unit, information about an angle (θ1) at which the center axis of the neutron emission intersects the center axis direction of the collimators, and a neutron amount detected by the neutron detector.

An apparatus for inspection of a target asset comprises a drone including a body, one or more propellers coupled to the body that enable the drone to fly, and an electronic control unit coupled to or positioned within the body of the drone and coupled to the one or more propellers. The apparatus also comprises a neutron emission source and a neutron detector that are both coupled to the body of the drone and also communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control navigation of the drone to reach the target asset, to activate the neutron emission source to radiate neutrons onto the asset and to gather data from the neutron detector which detects neutrons backscattered from the asset, indicative of a state of the asset and materials contained within the asset.

An apparatus for inspection of a target asset comprises a drone including a body, one or more propellers coupled to the body that enable the drone to fly, and an electronic control unit coupled to or positioned within the body of the drone and coupled to the one or more propellers. The apparatus also comprises a neutron emission source and a neutron detector that are both coupled to the body of the drone and also communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control navigation of the drone to reach the target asset, to activate the neutron emission source to radiate neutrons onto the asset and to gather data from the neutron detector which detects neutrons backscattered from the asset, indicative of a state of the asset and materials contained within the asset.

A non-destructive inspection system 1 includes a neutron detecting unit 4 and an arithmetic unit 60. The neutron detecting unit 4 includes a collimator 30 and a neutron detector 20 integrated together. The collimator 30 has a wall defining a through passage P. The wall is made from a material that absorbs neutrons produced via an inspection object. The neutron detector 20 is capable of detecting neutrons that have passed through the collimator 30. The arithmetic unit 60 generates information on a position and composition of the inspection object, based on information on the neutrons detected by the neutron detector 20, positional information indicating the position of the neutron detecting unit 4, and posture information indicating the posture of the neutron detecting unit 4. The positional information and the posture information are detected by a position and posture detecting unit 5.

A non-destructive inspection system 1 includes a neutron detecting unit 4 and an arithmetic unit 60. The neutron detecting unit 4 includes a collimator 30 and a neutron detector 20 integrated together. The collimator 30 has a wall defining a through passage P. The wall is made from a material that absorbs neutrons produced via an inspection object. The neutron detector 20 is capable of detecting neutrons that have passed through the collimator 30. The arithmetic unit 60 generates information on a position and composition of the inspection object, based on information on the neutrons detected by the neutron detector 20, positional information indicating the position of the neutron detecting unit 4, and posture information indicating the posture of the neutron detecting unit 4. The positional information and the posture information are detected by a position and posture detecting unit 5.

A non-destructive inspection system 1 includes a neutron radiation source 3 capable of emitting neutrons N, and a neutron detector 14 capable of detecting neutrons Nb produced via an inspection object 6a among neutrons N emitted from the neutron radiation source 3. The neutron radiation source 3 includes a linear accelerator 11 capable of emitting charged particles P accelerated; a first magnet section 12 including magnets 12a and 12b facing each other, the magnets 12a and 12b being capable of deflecting the charged particles P in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of emission of the charged particles P from the linear accelerator 11; and a target section 13 capable of producing neutrons N by being irradiated with the charged particles P that have passed through the first magnet section 12.

A non-destructive inspection system 1 includes a neutron radiation source 3 capable of emitting neutrons N, and a neutron detector 14 capable of detecting neutrons Nb produced via an inspection object 6a among neutrons N emitted from the neutron radiation source 3. The neutron radiation source 3 includes a linear accelerator 11 capable of emitting charged particles P accelerated; a first magnet section 12 including magnets 12a and 12b facing each other, the magnets 12a and 12b being capable of deflecting the charged particles P in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of emission of the charged particles P from the linear accelerator 11; and a target section 13 capable of producing neutrons N by being irradiated with the charged particles P that have passed through the first magnet section 12.

A neutron emission unit is configured to emit neutrons such that a center axis (Nh) of a neutron emission intersects a center axis direction of collimators (23a to 23e). A calculation unit is capable of generating information about an inspection object in the center axis direction of the collimators, based on position information of a neutron detector and/or position information of the neutron emission unit, information about an angle (θ1) at which the center axis of the neutron emission intersects the center axis direction of the collimators, and a neutron amount detected by the neutron detector.

A neutron emission unit is configured to emit neutrons such that a center axis (Nh) of a neutron emission intersects a center axis direction of collimators (23a to 23e). A calculation unit is capable of generating information about an inspection object in the center axis direction of the collimators, based on position information of a neutron detector and/or position information of the neutron emission unit, information about an angle (θ1) at which the center axis of the neutron emission intersects the center axis direction of the collimators, and a neutron amount detected by the neutron detector.

A device (12) for measuring the water content of the ground, vegetation and snow, comprises: at least one first module (20) adapted to measure a flow of cosmic rays incident to the ground; at least one second module (40) adapted to measure an ambient neutron flow; and a control unit (60) connected to said at least one first module (20) and said at least one second module (40). The control unit (60) is adapted to process the measurements of said at least one first module (20) and said at least one second module (40) to determine the measurement of the water content.