SPECT ‑ Multi‑parameter measurement method for radiation protection
The project SPECT involves the development of a method together with electronic equipment for protection against ionizing radiation, which is done by simultaneously detecting radiation type (alpha, beta, gamma, neutrons) and the corresponding particle or photon energy.
By comparing with a built-in database of known radioactive materials, the radiation source is identified, presented and possibly an alarm is given.
Critical parameters are sensitivity and spectral resolution of the detectors that are selected and adapted to the application. The equipment should be rapid and discriminate against ambient background radiation. It shall also withstand the demanding environment in e g mines with low temperature, high humidity, and electrically conductive dust.
Two designs are considered: lightweight stationary systems, as well as small ultra-portable devices. The applications are, in addition to monitoring of radioactivity (radon, etc.) in mines and tunnels, security (customs / border crossings, airports, terrorist protection), medical labs, monitoring the environment around nuclear power plants, etc.
Parties are MidSweden University (Sundsvall, coordinator), Gammadata Instrument (Uppsala), Note (Norrtälje), LKAB (Malmberget), and the Radiation Protection Authority (Solna).
The project will contribute to the further development of the identified Swedish cutting-edge areas micro-nanoelectronics and sensors, but also other areas such as photonics, building practice, and embedded systems.
The work is carried out within the Strategic Innovation program "Smarter Electronic Systems" (Sw: Smartare Elektroniksystem), a joint program financed by Vinnova, Formas and the Swedish Energy Agency.
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