Holding monitor of radiation publicity is not only for characters in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic science fiction novel. For those who repeatedly work in shut proximity to sources of radiation — maybe in medical imaging or at a nuclear energy plant — monitoring radiation publicity is severe enterprise. Extreme publicity can result in very extreme well being penalties, so this knowledge is essential for these staff to remain protected and wholesome. In spite of everything, if one shouldn’t be conscious that there’s a drawback, it’s inconceivable to repair it.
Historically, folks which are at a excessive threat for extreme radiation publicity use private dosimeters to trace publicity ranges. These wearable units document the quantity of radiation that they’re uncovered to all through the day. This permits them to alert their person that they should take away themselves from the world if that degree climbs too excessive. However sadly, dosimeters may be very costly and likewise fairly sophisticated to correctly calibrate. For these causes, many radiation staff — particularly within the creating world — have little or no perception into their very own publicity ranges.
An open supply gadget referred to as the OpenDosimeter could possibly repair this drawback. It’s the first low-cost dosimeter ever to be developed from each open supply {hardware} and software program. The components value lower than $100, and the design is totally documented. Anybody can construct their very own copy of the OpenDosimeter. Moreover, the calibration course of can be tremendously simplified and depends on solely widely-available supplies.
The {hardware} is constructed across the Raspberry Pi Pico board. Radiation degree measurements are made with a LYSO scintillator coupled with a silicon photomultiplier. A easy show reveals real-time radiation publicity metrics, and the onboard rechargeable battery permits for as much as 20 hours of steady operation. A customized PCB and a handful of parts are additionally required, which may be inexpensively ordered from a PCB producer.
The calibration course of requires solely Am-241, which may be obtained from any family ionization smoke detector. This technique offers for efficient spectral and dose calibration with out the same old complexities and bills.
Supply code, schematics, and step-by-step construct directions are all freely out there on GitHub . The group did word that customers of the OpenDosimeter are finally accountable for verifying the accuracy and reliability of measurements of the gadget as that is nonetheless a analysis challenge. So caveat emptor, but when you’ll be able to validate the units, they might be a good way to maintain staff protected the place different choices are unavailable.A low-cost, open supply radiation dose monitor (📷: OpenDosimeter)
The working precept of the gadget (📷: OpenDosimeter)