Silverside Detectors
Silverside Detectors designs and manufactures cost-effective Lithium-6 thermal neutron detection chambers and sub-systems as an alternative to Helium-3 tubes, supplying government homeland security agencies (notably DHS/CWMD via Smiths Detection), system integrators, and research institutions with modular detector products for radiation portal monitoring and adjacent applications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersWaltham, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Silverside Detectors does
Silverside Detectors Inc. is a privately held Waltham, Massachusetts-based company that designs and manufactures Lithium-6 (Li-6) thermal neutron detection systems as a cost-effective alternative to traditional Helium-3 (He-3) tubes. Founded in 2013 out of a Boston University physics lab under initial DHS and DARPA funding, the company has built an ISO 9001-2015-compliant manufacturing operation in Cambridge, MA. Its core product line consists of three series: the NDC-1000 modular detection chambers (offered in Standard, Plus, and Double efficiency densities), the SUB-5000 moderated sub-systems engineered as drop-in replacements for existing Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM) electronics, and the ASM-6000 custom assemblies configured to specific customer requirements. The technology centers on enriched Li-6 metal suspended in hermetically sealed, multi-wire proportional counter chambers; neutron events generate alpha and triton particles that ionize the chamber gas and produce a clear signal with straightforward gamma-ray rejection, allowing detection performance matching He-3 at roughly one-tenth the unit cost.
The company's primary commercial customer is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office, accessed through Smiths Detection as prime contractor on the Radiation Portal Monitor Replacement Program — a multi-year deployment of neutron detectors at high-volume U.S. ports of entry. Silverside operates an enterprise field-sales go-to-market, sells through system integrators (Smiths Detection, Radiation Solutions, Inc.), and also supplies research institutions, agricultural/environmental monitoring customers using Cosmic Ray Sensing (CRS) for soil-moisture measurement, and DARPA-affiliated programs including SIGMA for unattended sensor stations. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of detector chambers, sub-systems, and custom assemblies, with multi-year government contracting cycles and quote-based pricing. The company is currently transitioning toward a software-led model under the AWS Activate program, building networked detection data infrastructure on AWS cloud services, though AI/ML capabilities are not yet disclosed. Co-founders Andrew Inglis (CTO, Ph.D. physicist) and Sarah Haig Baker (CEO, Harvard Kennedy School policy background) lead an interdisciplinary team of approximately 12-15 scientists, engineers, and policy experts.
Silverside Detectors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Silverside Detectors
- Legal name
- Silverside Detectors Inc.
- Website
- https://silverside-detectors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Silverside Detectors designs and manufactures cost-effective Lithium-6 thermal neutron detection chambers and sub-systems as an alternative to Helium-3 tubes, supplying government homeland security agencies (notably DHS/CWMD via Smiths Detection), system integrators, and research institutions with modular detector products for radiation portal monitoring and adjacent applications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Silverside Detectors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Radiation Detection Systems
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors) (EUAKAIAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Nonproliferation Technology & Detection (radiation portal monitors, RPMs, spectroscopy, forensics) (EUAKAJAG)
Keywords
Where Silverside Detectors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waltham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Silverside Detectors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Hardware Sales: Sale of neutron detection hardware systems to government agencies through prime contractors and direct subcontracts. Products include NDC-1000 series chambers, SUB-5000 series sub-systems, and custom ASM-6000 assemblies.
- Software/Services: As Silverside transitions into a software leader, revenue includes software solutions and potentially managed services for networked detection systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Standard, Plus, and Double efficiency density chambers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Silverside Detectors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Silverside Detectors manufactures lithium-6 (Li-6) based thermal neutron detection hardware as a cost-effective replacement for traditional Helium-3 (He-3) detectors. The product line includes modular chambers, moderated sub-systems for Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs), and custom readout-enabled assemblies deployed at U.S. ports of entry and for nuclear security screening. The company also applies its neutron detection technology to Cosmic Ray Sensing (CRS) systems for soil moisture measurement.
Product overview
Silverside Detectors offers a portfolio of lithium-6 (Li-6) based thermal neutron detection products designed as cost-effective alternatives to traditional Helium-3 (He-3) detectors. The core product line includes the NDC-1000 Series (thermal neutron detector chambers), SUB-5000 Series (moderated sub-systems for Radiation Portal Monitors), and ASM-6000 Series (readout-enabled assemblies). These modular products serve nuclear security applications such as RPM screening at ports of entry, vehicle-mounted detection systems, and unattended sensor networks. Silverside also applies its neutron detection technology to soil moisture sensing via Cosmic Ray Sensing (CRS) systems for agricultural and water management applications. All products are manufactured in an ISO 9001-2015-compliant facility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NDC-1000 Series Thermal Neutron Detector Chambers
Quantifiable outcome
- 1/10 cost reduction vs He-3 detectors
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Silverside Detectors
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Silverside Detectors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Silverside Detectors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and supporting.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)strategicSilverside accepted into AWS Activate program as they transition into a software leader in nuclear detection markets. Implementing AWS products including QLDB, Kinesis, Lambda, and Lightsail for cloud infrastructure and software solutions.
- Smiths DetectioncoreSmiths Detection, as the IDIQ contract holder for DHS Radiation Portal Monitor Replacement Program, selected Silverside as the neutron detector supplier. Silverside supplies Li-6 detectors as part of a team that includes Radiation Solutions, Inc. for deployment at domestic ports of entry.
- MassMEPsupportingOngoing collaboration with Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership for manufacturing guidance and support. Featured in Industry Week for prototype-to-product development assistance.
- Radiation Solutions, Inc.supportingPart of the team with Smiths Detection for the DHS Radiation Portal Monitor Replacement Program, providing integrated radiation detection solutions.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Silverside Detectors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mirion Technologies: Large radiation-detection and nuclear-measurement incumbent serving nuclear power, defense, homeland security, and research markets — a broad portfolio competitor that overlaps directly with Silverside's portal-monitor and nuclear-security use cases.
- Smiths Detection: Global incumbent in detection equipment for ports, borders, and aviation security; prime contractor on the DHS RPM Replacement Program and Silverside's channel partner. Directly comparable because it integrates radiation detection into the same end-market systems.
- Rapiscan Systems (OSI Systems): Major security screening OEM with radiation and cargo-inspection systems at ports of entry; broader incumbent providing overlapping portal and vehicle-mounted detection capabilities.
Direct peers
- AMETEK (ORTEC): ORTEC, an AMETEK business, manufactures radiation detection and measurement instruments (spectrometers, HPGe, neutron detectors) used in nuclear security, safeguards, and research — overlapping with Silverside's Li-6 neutron detection portfolio.
- Kromek Group: UK-based supplier of radiation detection components and subsystems (CZT-based gamma and neutron detectors) for nuclear security, homeland defense, and medical imaging — a directly comparable component-level peer with similar portal-monitor exposure.
- Radiation Solutions Inc. Specialized radiation detection and RPM integrator working alongside Silverside on the DHS RPM Replacement Program team; competes and partners in the same neutron-detection-at-the-portal niche.
- Symetrica: Developer of radiological and nuclear detection systems (including He-3 alternatives) for homeland security and RPMs — a directly comparable component- and system-level technology peer.
- Berkeley Nucleonics: Manufacturer of radiation detection instruments, nucleonics, and custom detection systems serving nuclear security, defense, and research customers — overlap with Silverside's neutron/radiation instrument portfolio.
- Ludlum Measurements: Long-standing U.S. manufacturer of radiation detection and measurement instruments (survey meters, portal monitors, area monitors); comparable as a radiation-detection instrument specialist serving security and laboratory end-customers.
Emerging players
- Bubble Technology Industries (BTI): Canadian radiation detection specialist working on neutron and gamma detection including alternatives to He-3 — a focused niche peer with overlapping science in homeland-security applications.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Silverside Detectors social profiles
Digital presenceSilverside Detectors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Silverside Detectors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Silverside Detectors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Silverside Detectors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Silverside Detectors
What does Silverside Detectors do?
Silverside Detectors manufactures lithium-6 (Li-6) based thermal neutron detection hardware as a cost-effective replacement for traditional Helium-3 (He-3) detectors. The product line includes modular chambers, moderated sub-systems for Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs), and custom readout-enabled assemblies deployed at U.S. ports of entry and for nuclear security screening. The company also applies its neutron detection technology to Cosmic Ray Sensing (CRS) systems for soil moisture measurement.
Is Silverside Detectors a public or private company?
Silverside Detectors is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Silverside Detectors founded?
Silverside Detectors was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Silverside Detectors based?
Silverside Detectors is headquartered in Waltham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Silverside Detectors make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software/Services.
Who are Silverside Detectors's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mirion Technologies, Smiths Detection and Rapiscan Systems (OSI Systems). Direct peers are AMETEK (ORTEC), Kromek Group, Radiation Solutions Inc., Symetrica, Berkeley Nucleonics and Ludlum Measurements. Bubble Technology Industries (BTI) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Silverside Detectors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Silverside Detectors.
What industry is Silverside Detectors in?
Silverside Detectors's product category is Radiation Detection Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAKAIAK, Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors), with a secondary code of EUAKAJAG, Nonproliferation Technology & Detection (radiation portal monitors, RPMs, spectroscopy, forensics). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3823.