In the past five years, the US has made a priority of securing itself against terrorism, both state sponsored and acts by rogue terrorists. Unfortunately much of the radiation detection technology used in this effort, whether it be portal monitors at the borders or efforts to detect nuclear proliferation, is 30-years old. The discovery, development and ultimate implementation of new radiation detection materials is a slow process. It is necessary to fast track the identification and development of potential radiation detection materials to keep pace with those who wish to hide their intentions.

At Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) a lab-wide initiative has been established to address these concerns from a fundamental science perspective both theoretically and experimentally. In addition to these fundamental science efforts the synthesis and testing of potential new radiation detection materials is being explored. An overview of the Radiation Detection Material Discovery initiative and it's projects will be outlined.