Polish scientists from the company Neutrino Geology SA, in collaboration with scientists from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, the National Centre for Nuclear Research in Świerk and researchers from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, are finalising the design of a modular geo-neutrino detector. The device, developed under the supervision and based on the patents of world-renowned physicist Dr Andrzej Drukier, will allow to create a three-dimensional map of raw material deposits on land and under water.

Scientists agree that the success of the research will revolutionise the mining sector, significantly reducing the cost and time of exploration for new deposits. The company, headed by Dr Waldemar Maj, has received PLN 9.8 million from the National Centre for Research and Development, PLN 2 million from private investors, and is planning to raise further funds through crowdinvesting.

The technology of scientists from Neutrino Geology consists in creating, using mobile detectors, a three-dimensional image of the Earth’s upper crust based on the analysis of the stream of geo-neutrinos emitted during the decay of radioactive elements. The result of the measurement will indicate with high probability whether there are deposits of oil, natural gas, uranium, precious or rare metals in a given area.

The development of the Neutrino technology is the responsibility of Dr Andrzej Drukier, who for 40 years has been one of the world’s leading experts in neutrino detection and the construction of super-sensitive detectors. He has led nearly 40 research and development projects commissioned by institutions such as NASA, the US Department of Energy, the US Department of Defence and the National Science Foundation. Drukier has collaborated with leading research centres in Denmark, France, Germany (Max Planck Institute), USA (Harvard, Princeton), Sweden and Poland. He is the author of 18 granted patents, 17 pending patents and articles cited in over 1000 publications.

Adrian Andrzejewski