MUON

Muon 

MUON – Muons are subatomic particles similar to electrons but they are much heavier. They are generated by cosmic rays interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere. They are highly penetrating and do not have the same safety constraints as the ionising radiation used in conventional radiography, so they offer benefits for use in non-destructive testing. Generating images using muons takes some time but they have found applications in examining bridges and tunnels, ancient structures, process industries and security. The composition and dimensions of materials can be derived from the behaviour of the muons within the material.

For information on muons in non-destructive testing, see:
https://www.bindt.org/forums/moodys-memoranda/muon-tomography/
https://www.bindt.org/News/january-2025/cosmic-ray-measurements-could-help-extend-lifespan-of-uk-bridges/
and 
https://www.iaea.org/publications/15182/muon-imaging

WHAT THE HEC?! articles are not intended to be the definitive account on the topic or acronym in question. Readers’ comments and contributions are welcomed. Email: ndtnews@bindt.org