Radiation detection: There’s an app for that
By Ephraim Fischbach, Jere Jenkins | March 1, 2012
The nuclear accident at Fukushima, which led to the release of radioactive fallout over densely populated areas, highlights a broader problem: What is the best way for the public to detect and monitor radiation levels in urban areas before, during, and after a major radiological event? The authors describe a system that would incorporate inexpensive radiation detectors in mobile phones equipped with the capability of continuously transmitting data to a central server. This server would correlate data from a large number of detectors carried by people moving randomly in an urban environment, locating fallout hot spots and illicit radiological sources carried by terrorists. The authors discuss both technical aspects of the system and some practical issues involved in implementing it, including cost.
Together, we make the world safer.
The Bulletin elevates expert voices above the noise. But as an independent nonprofit organization, our operations depend on the support of readers like you. Help us continue to deliver quality journalism that holds leaders accountable. Your support of our work at any level is important. In return, we promise our coverage will be understandable, influential, vigilant, solution-oriented, and fair-minded. Together we can make a difference.
Issue: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Volume 68 Issue 2
Keywords: Fukushima, cell phone, fallout, hot spots, mobile phone, nuclear terrorism, radiation detection, radioactivity
Topics: Uncategorized
Get alerts about this thread
0 Comments
Oldest
Ephraim Fischbach
Ephraim Fischbach is a professor of physics at Purdue University and a fellow of the American Physical Society. His work on cell... Read More
Jere Jenkins
Jere Jenkins is the director of radiation laboratories in the School of Nuclear Engineering at Purdue University and is the facility... Read More
