Polymer Coatings with radiation detection functionality.
Mritunjay Sharma
Zhuo Yang
Supervised by Professor Steve Yeates & Prof. Francis Livens
1. Introduction
Nuclear conversion of an atomic nucleus from one form to another is known as radioactivity. These conversions are accompanied by nuclear radiations, major nuclear radiations are alpha, beta and gamma radiations these are ionisations radiations and hence are dangerous to living beings these radiations can cause radiation sickness and sometimes can even lead to death. However these nuclear radiations can be detected and measured and considerable research is also being done on eradicating these nuclear radiations. [1] Molecules and ions
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Fig: 1 – Types of contaminated areas. [1]
1.1 Types of nuclear radiations.
There are primarily three different types of nuclear radiations α, β and γ radiation.Figure 2 shows different types of radiation and their penetration capability.
Fig: 2 - Penetrating capabilities of α, β and γ particles.
Alpha radiations consist of two protons and two neutrons, these mainly occur at the time of alpha decay , Since alpha radiation travel a very short distance hence they can be easily stopped by paper or normal clothes, Alpha radiations are harmful when in contact directly with the skin or the source being swallowed.
Beta radiations are high speed and high energy electrons and positrons which occur are produced at the time beta decay, beta radiation may travel meters in air and is moderately penetrating, these radiations can penetrate up to germinal layer of the skin where new skin cells are produced and hence can harm the skin quite effectively.
Gamma rays are high frequency electromagnetic radiations and contain high energy per photon; these are produced by the decay of higher energy atomic nuclei. These rays can travel many meters in the air and can penetrate the skin up to centimetres. Dense materials are needed to shield from gamma radiation.
1.2Radiation Detection
In the process of decontamination radiation detection is the most important process, A
There are two reactions that happen in the human body when ionizing radiation within the diagnostic range (30-150 kilovolt peak) is
are all naturally occurs, as they are also able to decay on their own. As others are man made that are used for radioactivity in the healthcare system such as: Na-24 (monitoring blood circulation), F- 18 (brain imaging/bone scans), I- 131 (imaging of the activity of thyroids and liver) and etc. The form of radiation transferred through energy taking the form of tiny particles invisible to the eye or light. Radiation linked to nuclear medicine utilizing nuclear energy is considered to be ionizing radiation. This implies that the radiation has enough energy to interrelate with matter including with the human body in producing ions. There are several different kinds of ionizing radiation, which include: alpha particles (a helium nucleus produced by radioactive components, initially known as a ray), beta particles (a quick moving electron produced by radioactive decay initially known as a ray), and gamma rays (the penetration of electromagnetic radiation derived from the radioactive decay of an atomic nuclei) (NDE-ED,
Ionizing radiationHelpIonizing radiationRadiation with so much energy it can knock electrons out of atoms. Ionizing radiation can affect the atoms in living things, so it poses a health risk by damaging tissue and DNA in genes. has sufficient energy to cause chemical changes in cells and damage them. Some cells may die or become abnormal, either temporarily or permanently. By damaging the genetic material
Gamma radiation is weakly emitted from depleted uranium+ but the fact that internalized uranium has direct contact with cells within the human body is cause for concern. Gamma radiation is a mutagen, meaning that is causes incorrect replication of DNA within a cell. The incorrect replication in DNA occurs because the radiation causes free radical to develop within a cell that cause an incorrect order of nucleotides, and when the cell replicates so does the error. This continued replication of Incorrect cells can become malignant and cause cancer+. The human body is resilient and does eject the uranium from the body through
Ionizing radiation can cause changes in the chemical equilibrium of a cell. It can cause destructive in the genetic mutation that can be accepted on to the upcoming generation. Being expose to an enormous amount of radiation, can cause sickness in a couple of hours or days then death within sixty days of radiation exposure. Many individuals utilize tanning beds to make their skin darker, but this is the most dangerous way to increase skin cancer. Ionizing radiation can occur internally ingesting, or inhaling chemical substances. Both external and internal sources may aggravate the whole or portion of the body. It affects people by depositing energy in body tissues which causes the cells to die. Some cells may survive the process, but would be abnormal. It all depends on how much a person absorbs the energy which can determine the damage of the cell.
Several possible health effects are associated with human exposure to radiation from uranium. All uranium isotopes mainly emit alpha particle and so, they have little penetrating ability. Because of how little penetrating ability the have, the main radiation hazard from uranium I caused when uranium compounds are ingested or
Simply put radiation is energy or particles flying through space. Radiation comes in three forms Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation, all three types have vastly different applications and levels of strength. The most common type of electromagnetic radiation used in the medical is known as ionising radiation, that form of radiation is far more powerful than non-ionising radiation because it cannot break molecular bonds or ionise atoms. Nuclear radiation can both be exceptionally useful and ridiculously dangerous if the proper measures are not put in place. Radiation is used most predominantly in the medical field where patients receive controlled doses, the expositor to radiation is
Beta radiation is a stream of electrons that are called beta particles. When the beta particle is released, a neutron is transformed to a proton in the nucleus, thus maintaining the mass number of the nucleus. Although, the atomic number increases by one unit. An example of this occurring is when the electron is the beta particle. Pursuing this further, gamma rays are high-energy photons with a very short wavelength of 0.0005 to 0.1 nm.
Radiation is actuality of life and in terms of defining; it is the emission (sending out) of energy from any source. We live in a world in which radiation is unsurprisingly present everywhere and has been since the creation of this planet. Light and heat from nuclear reaction in sun are crucial to our survival. Radioactive materials occur naturally all through the environment and our bodies contain radioactive materials for example carbon-14, and potassium-40 naturally (Knoll, 1989). All life on Earth has evolved in the presence of this radiation. One can categorize radiation according to the effects it produces on matter, into non-ionizing and ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing
It can affect the atoms in living things, and can pose a health risk by damaging tissue and DNA. Ionizing radiation comes from radioactive elements, cosmic particles, and x-ray machines. There is also non-ionizing radiation that is far less harmful than ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation has enough energy to make atoms move or vibrate, but not enough energy to knock electrons out of them completely. It is found in radio waves, visible light, and microwaves. The former USSR suffers from high levels of ionizing radiation, which has posed significant health and environmental issues that will not correct themselves for centuries.
Radiation has always been in everyday life even before Roentgen discovered x-ray. The mountains give off natural radiation, other forms of radiation are coal burning power plants, x-rays from a TV, and an airplane ride. The average dose from background radiation is about 360 mrem every year. There are two types of radiation, nonionizing and ionizing radiation. Examples of nonionizing radiation are microwaves and radio waves broadcasting. Ionizing radiation refers to gamma and x-rays. Ionizing radiation means that the rays are able to remove an electron from the atom then ions can be formed. The ions can cause damage when reacting with other atoms. Cells are able to be repaired if low dose are received. However, if cells get a high dose,
So what are these harmful effects? To answer this question, we need to understand how radioactive isotopes decay. There are many different elements, and each has its own radioactive isotopes. For example, one of the common plutonium isotopes produced by man is plutonium-239. When this radioactive isotope decays, it produces energy. This energy is radioactivity. When the isotope decays, it produces alpha, beta, and gamma particles. These particles are also a part of a general class of
Ionizing radiations are radiations of short wavelength and high energy which causes atoms to ionize. Examples of ionizing radiations includes: x-rays, gamma rays, ultra violet radiation.
Radiation has been present since the birth of the universe. Upon its discovery in the early 19th century, humans have used radiation for its beneficial purposes that date back decades. However, when used precariously or in large quantities, radiation can be dangerous. It can cause detrimental effects to living organisms. Medical facilities, nuclear power plants, research laboratories and academic industries all need professionals who understand radiation hazards, as well as their prevention and control [1].
Gamma radiation can only be stopped by thick materials, concrete and lead (BBC, 2014). This type of radiation is mostly used in the medical setting, treating cancer, and used in the sterilization of equipment used in medical settings (BBC, 2014). Radiation used in sterilization of equipment can pass through plastic, rubber, and kill bacteria and viruses (BBC, 2014). Tracers are either eaten or injected. They show where the tracer has built up in body, indicating abnormal areas, possibly cancer or tumors (BBC, 2014). This leaves medical workers being at risk for exposure to these rays, which can lead to genetic mutations long-term. Lead aprons and barrier walls would be the best route to mitigate these types of rays, since they cannot be avoided by these workers.