Nuclear technology company Phoenix LLC is planning to build a second neutron imaging center, this one in northern California, the company announced.
The Fitchburg-based company opened its first imaging center, the 10,000-square-foot Phoenix Neutron Imaging Center, in Fitchburg in 2019.
This second center will be constructed in the San Francisco area to meet demand for neutron radiography services used by defense and aerospace companies.
"Placing a new Phoenix neutron imaging center on the west coast would allow Phoenix to better provide new and existing clients in critical industries access to this important technology that helps ensure their products are free from potentially catastrophic defects, significantly improving the security of a critical defense supply chain," said Phoenix president Evan Sengbusch.
Phoenix says the new center could become a regional manufacturing and engineering hub, allowing the company to grow its employee base on the west coast.
The company said its imaging center in Fitchburg is one of few industrial radiography facilities of its kind to provide neutron radiography, research and development and failure analysis. Neutron imaging provides detailed information on the internal structure of objects, including high-density material, and reveals features that other methods, like X-ray, cannot. Phoenix uses particle accelerators to produce neutron radiation rather than use nuclear fission, which produces radioactive byproducts.
Phoenix Neutron Imaging Center opens in Fitchburg
Located in Fitchburg, the 10,000-square-foot neutron imaging and testing center will provide neutron activation analysis, radiation effects testing and X-ray imaging in addition to neutron imaging.
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
A neutron collimation system at the imaging center
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
This system will direct neutrons produced in the center toward 10 different imaging ports, allowing Phoenix to do 10 neutron images at once.
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Phoenix CEO Dr. Ross Radel speaks at the grand opening.
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
Phoenix senior executives, representatives from the U.S. Army and aerospace industry, and local and state officials attended the ceremony located onsite in Fitchburg’s Uptown neighborhood.
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
Fitchburg Mayor Aaron Richardson
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
Paul Wilson from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Engineering Physics
Phoenix
From left, Phoenix president Evan Sengbusch, Erik Schlueter from the office of Congressman Mark Pocan, and Monica Sundal from the office of U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, at the grand opening
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
Phoenix's Sengbusch talks during a tour of the imaging center.
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
Phoenix plans to break ground on its new corporate headquarters in Fitchburg later this year. It is slated for occupancy in 2020.
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
From left, Sengbusch, Fitchburg Mayor Aaron Richardson, and Phoenix CEO Ross Radel
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The grand opening was held on Oct. 11.
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
The Phoenix Neutron Imaging Center (PNIC), which started construction one year ago, will be the first industrial radiography facility to provide both X-ray and neutron imaging services.
Ruthie (Hauge) Machacek
