Jim Baciak, materials science and engineering professor and director of the UF nuclear engineering program, worked with industry partner Georgetown Rail Equipment to create the Aurora Xi, which uses backscatter x-ray imaging to detect defects in railroad crossties at speeds of up to 25 mph. The new technology won the 2016 R&D 100 award.
Director of UF Nuclear Engineering Program wins R&D 100 Award
![](https://www.eng.ufl.edu/newengineer/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2017/01/25-039-Slider-Jim-Baciak-RD100-image.jpg)