The recent Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and the current nuclear threats in the Ukraine serve as a strong reminder that radiation emergencies are a real possibility. The potential for similar unintentional or deliberate incidents exists at numerous nuclear power plants worldwide. Indeed, there have been various radiation accidents involving the loss or removal of radioactive materials, resulting in significant or even fatal radiation exposure to multiple individuals. Furthermore, concerns about the potential malicious exploitation of nuclear and radioactive substances by terrorists have raised serious security issues. Preventing the illicit transportation of nuclear and radiological materials is of paramount importance for national security. Although the main national security focus has been on preventing the introduction of radiological materials into countries, many hazardous radiological sources are already present within national borders. These sources are often located in vulnerable places such as hospitals, food processing facilities, and industrial sites. Effective monitoring of these sources requires a wide-reaching and dispersed network of sensors. This report describes a technology known as GammaPix, which repurposes digital video cameras as detectors for penetrating ionizing radiation. Originally developed to eliminate false signals caused by cosmic rays in images of celestial objects, this approach has proven to be a robust method for affordable and widespread radiation monitoring. The technology harnesses the inherent sensitivity of CCD and CMOS chips used in digital image sensors found in surveillance cameras and cell-phone cameras to gamma rays. An alternative version of the technology employs mobile phones as virtual sensors, strategically positioned using tools like Google Maps to simulate the presence of virtual radiation sources in chosen locations. This technology facilitates the execution of simulated exercises and is tailored for the training of emergency response personnel.
Smartphones as support tools for emergency preparedness and disaster response
d’Errico F.;Chierici A.;Ciolini R.;
2023-01-01
Abstract
The recent Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and the current nuclear threats in the Ukraine serve as a strong reminder that radiation emergencies are a real possibility. The potential for similar unintentional or deliberate incidents exists at numerous nuclear power plants worldwide. Indeed, there have been various radiation accidents involving the loss or removal of radioactive materials, resulting in significant or even fatal radiation exposure to multiple individuals. Furthermore, concerns about the potential malicious exploitation of nuclear and radioactive substances by terrorists have raised serious security issues. Preventing the illicit transportation of nuclear and radiological materials is of paramount importance for national security. Although the main national security focus has been on preventing the introduction of radiological materials into countries, many hazardous radiological sources are already present within national borders. These sources are often located in vulnerable places such as hospitals, food processing facilities, and industrial sites. Effective monitoring of these sources requires a wide-reaching and dispersed network of sensors. This report describes a technology known as GammaPix, which repurposes digital video cameras as detectors for penetrating ionizing radiation. Originally developed to eliminate false signals caused by cosmic rays in images of celestial objects, this approach has proven to be a robust method for affordable and widespread radiation monitoring. The technology harnesses the inherent sensitivity of CCD and CMOS chips used in digital image sensors found in surveillance cameras and cell-phone cameras to gamma rays. An alternative version of the technology employs mobile phones as virtual sensors, strategically positioned using tools like Google Maps to simulate the presence of virtual radiation sources in chosen locations. This technology facilitates the execution of simulated exercises and is tailored for the training of emergency response personnel.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.