Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.5
2.7
Journals
Applied Sciences
Special Issues
Novel Techniques for Detecting Radiation and Radioactive Contamination
share announcement

Novel Techniques for Detecting Radiation and Radioactive Contamination

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (9 October 2023) | Viewed by 9071

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Yasuda

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Kasumi 1-2-3, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
Interests: radiation measurements; retrospective dosimetry; medical physics; radiological protection; health risk assessments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For the past 120 years, radiation and radionuclides have improved the quality of our lives. Particularly, their medical applications have contributed to the enhancement of human health. On the other hand, it has been a great challenge for us to ensure safety when using radiation sources in modern society.

To achieve the safe use of radiation and radionuclides, various physical techniques for radiation detection have been developed and used on many occasions, e.g., for the management of individual radiation exposure, monitoring of environmental radiation and radioactivity levels, and dose verification of therapeutic beams delivered to patients. In radiological or nuclear emergencies, biological methods for dose assessment using blood cells, chromosome aberrations, teeth enamel, etc., have been applied so that medical workers can make the right decisions to save the patients exposed.

Meanwhile, in our continuously changing society, more advanced techniques for radiation detection and dosimetry are/will be needed. For example, new methods of cancer radiotherapy (e.g., FLASH) require new detectors and electronics. Emerging novel technologies for nuclear power production (e.g., small modular reactors) will need more robust, reliable monitoring systems applicable to complex radiation fields.

Given the above, this Special Issue is launched to collect original research showing cutting-edge techniques for radiation detection and dosimetry that match the future needs of society over the coming generations. Envisioned topics are as follows:

New developments of:

  • Photon/electron dosimetry
  • Neutron dosimetry
  • Protons/heavy ions dosimetry
  • Micro and nano-dosimetry
  • Pulsed field dosimetry
  • Computational dosimetry
New detectors using:
  • Scintillation
  • Semiconductor
  • Electron paramagnetic/spin resonance
  • Luminescence
  • Nuclear track
  • Fricke and polymer gel
  • Radiochromic complex
  • Superheated emulsions
  • Other phenomena/materials
New approaches to:
  • Medical dose verification
  • Radiological/nuclear emergency dosimetry
  • Assessment of external/internal exposure
  • Monitoring of environmental radiation/radioactivity
  • Space and aviation dosimetry
  • Retrospective dosimetry/dating

Furthermore, comprehensive reviews covering wide-range interests related to the technical advancement of radiation detection and dosimetry are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Yasuda
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

10 pages, 2500 KiB  
Article
Application of a Portable Colorimeter for Reading a Radiochromic Film for On-Site Dosimetry
by Hiroshi Yasuda and Hikaru Yoshida
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(8), 4761; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13084761 - 10 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1603
Abstract
Radiochromic films have widely been used for quality assurance (QA) in radiation therapy and have many advantageous features such as self-developing visible coloration, wide dose range and easiness to handle. These features have a good potential for application to other fields associated with [...] Read more.
Radiochromic films have widely been used for quality assurance (QA) in radiation therapy and have many advantageous features such as self-developing visible coloration, wide dose range and easiness to handle. These features have a good potential for application to other fields associated with high-dose radiation exposure, e.g., verification of various radiation sources used in industry and research, occupational radiation monitoring as a preparedness for radiological emergencies. One of the issues in such applications is the elaborate process of acquisition and analyses of the color image using a flatbed scanner and image processing software, which is desirably to be improved for achieving a practical on-site dosimetry. In the present study, a simple method for reading a radiochromic film by using a portable colorimeter (nix pro 2; abbreviated here “Nix”) was proposed and its feasibility for diagnostic X-rays was tested with a commercial radiochromic film (Gafchromic EBT-XD). It was found that the color intensities of red and green components of EBT-XD were successfully measured by Nix over a wide dose range up to 40 Gy. Though some angle dependence was observed, this error could be well averted by careful attention to the film direction in a reading process. According to these findings, it is expected that the proposed on-site dosimetry method of combining a radiochromic film and a portable colorimeter will be practically utilized in various occasions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Detecting Radiation and Radioactive Contamination)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 3605 KiB  
Article
Development of Nd-Doped CaWO4 Single Crystalline Scintillators Emitting Near-Infrared Light
by Kai Okazaki, Daisuke Nakauchi, Hiroyuki Fukushima, Takumi Kato, Noriaki Kawaguchi and Takayuki Yanagida
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11624; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211624 - 16 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1478
Abstract
Nd-doped CaWO4 single crystals with dopant concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1% were synthesized by the floating zone method. The transmission, photoluminescence, and scintillation properties were evaluated from ultraviolet to near-infrared (NIR) ranges. An emission peak due to transitions of the host [...] Read more.
Nd-doped CaWO4 single crystals with dopant concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1% were synthesized by the floating zone method. The transmission, photoluminescence, and scintillation properties were evaluated from ultraviolet to near-infrared (NIR) ranges. An emission peak due to transitions of the host was observed at 400 nm, and several sharp peaks originating from Nd3+ 4f–4f transitions were confirmed at 900, 1060, and 1300 nm. The quantum yields of 0.1, 0.5, and 1% Nd-doped samples were 70.7, 79.5, and 61.2%, respectively, when monitored, and excited wavelengths were 750–1500 nm and 590 nm. Decay times consistent with typical Nd3+ transitions were obtained when NIR ranges were monitored. Additionally, the energy transfer between the host and Nd3+ occurred according to the decay measurement. The relationship between X-ray irradiated dose rate and intensity in the range of NIR was investigated by combining the crystals with an InGaAs-photodiode. The lowest detectable dose rate retaining the linearity of the present crystals was 0.3–0.06 Gy/h. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Detecting Radiation and Radioactive Contamination)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2967 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Effects of L(+)-Ascorbic Acid Treatment to the ESR Signals of Human Fingernails
by Chryzel Angelica B. Gonzales, Ryogo Ajimura and Hiroshi Yasuda
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8055; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168055 - 11 Aug 2022
Viewed by 1094
Abstract
The effects of L(+)-ascorbic acid (AA) (an antioxidant commonly known as vitamin C) on the electron spin resonance (ESR) signals from fingernails were examined in relation to X-ray and UV irradiation. The ESR signal intensity, stability, and sensitivity to radiation were measured under [...] Read more.
The effects of L(+)-ascorbic acid (AA) (an antioxidant commonly known as vitamin C) on the electron spin resonance (ESR) signals from fingernails were examined in relation to X-ray and UV irradiation. The ESR signal intensity, stability, and sensitivity to radiation were measured under different storage conditions. The experimental results indicated that the behavior of the increase in the ESR intensity of the AA samples varied depending on the storage and location conditions, showing sensitivity to light and signal instability at room temperature. It was found that the AA treatment caused a large increase in the peak-to-peak intensities with continuous signal growth with storage time, which may provide an enhancement to the radiation-dependent signal in fingernails. It was also suggested that the use of AA for pre-treatment could sufficiently remove the disturbing signals induced by heat or UV light exposure, which is expected to improve the reliability of radiation dosimetry using fingernails. Further studies with different antioxidant conditions are needed to better characterize the complex changes of the ESR signals from fingernails. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Detecting Radiation and Radioactive Contamination)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3346 KiB  
Article
Zinc-Doped Magnesium Borate Glass: A Potential Thermoluminescence Dosimeter for Extended Range of Dosimetric Applications
by Muhammad Bakhsh, Hiroshi Yasuda, Nisar Ahmad, Jeannie Hsiu Ding Wong and Iskandar Shahrim Mustafa
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7491; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157491 - 26 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1154
Abstract
In this study, we report the dosimetric properties of zinc-doped magnesium borate (MgB4O7:Zn) glass, which was originally synthesized. MgB4O7:Zn glass was successfully synthesized through the melt-quenching technique. The amorphous nature of the synthesized samples was [...] Read more.
In this study, we report the dosimetric properties of zinc-doped magnesium borate (MgB4O7:Zn) glass, which was originally synthesized. MgB4O7:Zn glass was successfully synthesized through the melt-quenching technique. The amorphous nature of the synthesized samples was observed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and further confirmed through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis. The glass-forming ability and thermal stability were estimated to be 0.61 and 1.62, respectively. The TL dosimetric characteristics, i.e., dose response, reproducibility, TL sensitivity, minimum detectable dose and signal stability, are reported. The synthesized sample demonstrated a simple glow curve with a single well-defined dosimetric peak at 240 °C with an optimal heating rate of 7 °C s−1. The synthesized glass demonstrated a linear dose response from 3 Gy to 5 kGy. The promising dosimetric characteristics demonstrate the potential of the synthesized glass to be recommended as a TL dosimeter for a wide range of applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Detecting Radiation and Radioactive Contamination)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 15198 KiB  
Article
Multi-Sensor Optimal Motion Planning for Radiological Contamination Surveys by Using Prediction-Difference Maps
by Tony H. Shin, Daniel T. Wakeford and Suzanne F. Nowicki
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(11), 5627; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12115627 - 01 Jun 2022
Viewed by 1250
Abstract
Distributed and networked mobile sensor platforms using unmanned aerial and/or ground vehicles to survey areas of interest offer a safer and more efficient method for radiological contamination mapping; however, most applications rely on uniformly sweeping of the area in a raster-type motion without [...] Read more.
Distributed and networked mobile sensor platforms using unmanned aerial and/or ground vehicles to survey areas of interest offer a safer and more efficient method for radiological contamination mapping; however, most applications rely on uniformly sweeping of the area in a raster-type motion without utilizing the information available in a dynamic sense. We have developed a fully autonomous optimal motion planning procedure for networks with two or more mobile sensors. The procedure utilizes well-established concepts of Gaussian processes in combination with control laws based on centroidal Voronoi tessellations to achieve optimal next-iteration sensor movements. A new method of informing optimal motion planning is proposed, whereby the absolute difference between the prior and current full-map prediction, referred to as the prediction-difference map, is used as the spatial density function within each Voronoi cell, providing immediate and iterative feedback for dynamic use of available information. The Gaussian process regression model used to estimate the contamination in unvisited locations also provides prediction uncertainties, and can be used as a quantitative metric to assess the confidence in the calculated contamination map; these estimates and prediction uncertainties are unavailable for standard uniform survey routines as they can only produce maps in the vicinity of observed locations. We present through simulation the achievable performance gains from using this new method by directly comparing to a uniform survey method. Results show that using the prediction-difference maps to inform motion planning procedures offers a faster rate of producing an accurate and convergent map relative to a uniform survey route. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Detecting Radiation and Radioactive Contamination)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 1958 KiB  
Article
Thermally Controllable Decolorization of Reusable Radiochromic Complex of Polyvinyl Alcohol, Iodine and Silica Nanoparticles (PAISiN) Irradiated with γ-rays
by Hiroshi Yasuda and Hirokazu Miyoshi
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(6), 2959; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12062959 - 14 Mar 2022
Viewed by 1512
Abstract
Some medical and industry workers using ionizing radiation sources have potential risks of accidental high-dose exposure of their extremities, particularly their hands. While practical dosimeters suitable for on-site real-time monitoring of hand exposure are not yet available, they are desirable to be developed. [...] Read more.
Some medical and industry workers using ionizing radiation sources have potential risks of accidental high-dose exposure of their extremities, particularly their hands. While practical dosimeters suitable for on-site real-time monitoring of hand exposure are not yet available, they are desirable to be developed. Thus, the authors focused on the application of a reusable radiochromic complex composed of polyvinyl alcohol, iodide and silica nanoparticles, named “PAISiN”, and examined their dose responses and thermal stabilities of radiochromic reactions. Three PAISiN samples each were irradiated with 5, 10 and 20 Gy of 137Cs γ-rays, and time changes of the radiation-induced colors were observed at different temperatures: 20 °C (in a laboratory), 40 °C (in an oven) and 5.5 °C (in a refrigerator). It was confirmed that the PAISiN samples presented a red color that was easily detectable by the naked eyesight immediately after irradiation. The coloration was cleared within 24 h for 5 Gy irradiation at room temperature. The decolorization process was remarkably accelerated at 40 °C; it was erased in just 2 h. In contrast, storing in the refrigerator (5.5 °C) kept the color persistently for at least 4 days. These findings indicate that we could flexibly control the decolorization process of PAISiN in accordance with the objective of radiation monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Detecting Radiation and Radioactive Contamination)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop