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Polymer Coatings With Radiation Detection Functionality

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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 …show more content…

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

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