INL Innovation Spotlight Advanced Radiation Monitoring: Fieldable Long-Length Scintillating Fibers

INL Innovation Spotlight

Advanced Radiation Monitoring: Fieldable Long-Length Scintillating Fibers

This technology uses durable, long scintillating fibers combined with regular optical fibers for effective and extensive radiation detection and monitoring in tough environments.

Overview:        

Radiation monitoring in hard-to-reach areas, such as nuclear repositories, waste facilities, and medical irradiation therapy facilities, presents significant challenges. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recognizes the crucial need for advanced tools to protect these sensitive sites. This technology utilizes long-length scintillating fibers, exceeding 10 meters, combined with standard optical fibers longer than 100 meters. It offers an efficient solution for monitoring vast and inaccessible areas. The technology's innovative approach includes the use of ruggedized fibers, mirrors to enhance signal return, and a light source for integrity verification, addressing a gap in the current market.

Description:   

The invention introduces scintillating fibers that function as flexible linear radiation detectors. These fibers are connected to longer standard optical fibers, enabling the remote placement of the scintillation-light detection electronics. To ensure protection, the fibers are enclosed in furcation tubing, and a mirror is used at one end to enhance signal return. Furthermore, a pulsed light source is utilized to verify the fiber's integrity, guaranteeing tamper-proof operation. This design offers a versatile and comprehensive radiation monitoring system that can be applied in various environments and applications, ranging from geological repositories to medical facilities.

Benefits:          

• Extended Reach: Capable of monitoring remote and inaccessible areas.
• Ruggedized Design: Protected against physical damage and external light interference.
• Enhanced Signal Integrity: Mirrors and pulsed light sources ensure accurate and reliable readings.
• Flexible Deployment: Adaptable to various environments and site-specific requirements.
• Safety and Security: Essential for monitoring sensitive nuclear and medical sites.

Applications:    

• Monitoring of radioactive waste in geological repositories.
• Surveillance of nuclear material storage and spent fuel dry storage areas.
• Radiation detection in inaccessible areas within nuclear reactors and reprocessing facilities.
• Safety monitoring in medical radioisotope production and irradiation therapy facilities.
• Environmental monitoring of radiation-contaminated sites.

Development Status: 

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5: Laboratory/bench scale, similar system validation in a relevant environment.

IP Status:        

US Patent Application No. 18/501,888, “Radiation Monitoring Systems, Radioactive Material Storage Systems, and Associated Components and Methods,” BEA Docket No. BA-1432.

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INL’s Technology Deployment department focuses exclusively on licensing intellectual property and partnering with industry collaborators capable of commercializing our innovations. Our goal is to commercialize the technologies developed by INL researchers. We do not engage in purchasing, manufacturing, procurement decisions, or providing funding. Additionally, this is not a call for external services to assist in the development of this technology.