A Look at Nuclear Science and Technology

Larry Foulke
Radiation and Modern Life 8.5 Harnessing Radiation From Dr. Alan Waltar Lectures at the World Nuclear University Used with permission

This material includes excerpts from a presentation by Alan Waltar at the World Nuclear University in 2012-2103. Used by permission from World Nuclear Association and Alan Waltar.
NOTE: Dr. Waltar is the author of the book, RADIATION AND MODERN LIFE: Fulfilling Marie Curie's Dream, Prometheus Books, 2005

Harnessing Radiation
1. Material Penetration
Degree of beam attenuation determines thickness of material Metal foil and paper manufactured by this process

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2. Heat Source
Alpha and beta particles stop within short distances of their origins Substantial heat is generated in this process Heat can be used to generate electricity (e.g. thermoelectric effect) Such sources used in space probes (e.g. Viking mission to Mars)
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3. Particle Emission
Gamma rays can penetrate through substantial material Hence, isotopes that emit gamma rays can be attached to fluid materials & then continuously monitored vs time Such tracing techniques are used to map groundwater movement, detect pipe leaks, & diagnose ailments in the human body

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4. Transmutation/Activation
Neutrons focused on certain materials will transmute the target material into a new radioisotope The target material can then be identified by analyzing the radioactivity of the newly formed radionuclide This technique is often used in criminology investigations and for revealing explosives in airport luggage
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5. Change Molecular Structure

Bombarding some materials with high enough levels of tailored radiation will break molecular bonds This changes the chemistry and structure of materials Sample products are tough plastics & special rubber for tires
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6. Cell Destruction
In a more macro scale, controlled amounts of beta particles or gamma rays can be used to break DNA bonds, thereby killing undesirable cells (e.g. insects & pathogens) This process is used to sterilize hospital equipment, suppress sprouting in vegetables, and kill cancer cells
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7. Decay Time
Knowing the half-life of certain radioactive species, aging analyses are possible Archeological artifacts Age of the earth Prehistoric climate changes Industrial age climate stability

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8. Luminescence
Some radioactive materials (e.g. tritium) can produce wave lengths in target materials that are visible to the human eye Routine uses include lighting for airport runways 100% reliable & self contained

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9. Ionization
Sufficiently high energy radiation will knock off electrons in surrounding media Media becomes electrically charged

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10. X-Ray Fluorescence

Monochromatic X-rays focused on a material of unknown composition Inner shell electron ejected Outer shell electrons move to inner shells, emitting an X-ray characteristic of unknown material
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11. Neutron Slowing Down

A burst of fast neutrons injected into a medium Neutrons will slow down rapidly if the medium is rich in protons (i.e. water) Excellent way to determine moisture content
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12. Neutron or Gamma Scattering

The identity of unknown material can sometimes be determined by measuring the scattering angle of a focused beam of incident neutrons or gamma rays

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MODERN INDUSTRY
Process Control Thickness Gauges (sheet metal, paper, textiles) Density & Level Gauges (oil and food industries) Plant Diagnostics Tracers (pipeline leaks, malfunctions, wear and corrosion) Materials Development Cross linking (e.g. heat shrink) Gamma curing (e.g. floors) Vulcanization (e.g. tires) Materials Testing and Inspection Engine wear Welds in airplanes, oil and gas pipelines Corrosion in pipes

INDUSTRY (CONT.)

Energy (Non-Nuclear)
Gamma sources to determine ash content in coal plants Borehole logging (oil well prospecting) Gamma sources to determine material failures in oil refineries E-Beam processing to remove sulfur and nitrogen oxides from flu gas

INDUSTRY (CONT.)

Personal Care
Contact lens solution Band-Aids, Cosmetics High absorption baby diapers Soft drinks

TRANSPORTATION
Cars and Trucks
Engine Wear Structure and body materials Tires Glass

Airplanes
Structure and body materials Weld inspections

Trains
Rail inspections

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1. Content Used With Permission from Prometheus Books. Waltar, A. E. (2004). Radiation and modern life: Fulfilling Marie Curie's dream. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. http://www.prometheusbooks.com/ index.php? main_page=product_info&cPath=37_6 7&products_id=1824