#MARCH2025 NEWSWIRE

Technological Breakthroughs in Radiation Detection

Compact Nuclear Detector (University of the West of Scotland)

• UWS introduced a portable LaBr₃(Ce) detector—small enough for field deployment, powerful enough for nuclear labs.
• Developed by faculty and students, it enhances radiation safety and enables clean energy research and medical diagnostics.
• The detector will be deployed at the top labs globally, including CERN.

Laser-Based Standoff Detection

• A new technique uses laser pulses to create “lightning balls” in the air, revealing radiation from up to 10 meters away.
• Published in Physical Review Applied, this contactless method could reach 100 meters—ideal for remote nuclear monitoring.

Drone-Based Detection (ORNL + Arktis)

• ORNL drones use Arktis detectors to map radioactive hazards in real time.
• Offers improved safety over manned flights and faster response in emergencies.
• Drones fly “low and slow” to detect weaker sources, ideal for nuclear security and public safety

🤖 CARMA II: Radiation-Mapping Robot

• UK-built robot autonomously maps contamination in nuclear decommissioning zones.
• Developed by the University of Manchester, RAICo, and Ice Nine Robotics.
• Deployed at Sellafield, it delivers high-resolution maps while keeping humans out of danger zones.

Omnidirectional Gamma/Neutron Imager

• This new imager is built from 62 CLLBC modules, which detect gamma rays and neutrons in 360°.
• Fuses real-time 3D mapping with radiation data, acting like a “GPS for radiation hotspots.”
• Applications include homeland security and nuclear site cleanup.

Regulatory and Industry Movements

US Nuclear Corp: Expansion and Safety Focus

• Cut quarterly losses by 89% and grew revenue 9.6% YoY.
• Launching bundled safety packages for first responders, police, and plant operators.
• Reflects growing demand for accessible radiation monitoring solutions.

DHS + PSI: Protecting Public Events

• DHS awarded PSI an SBIR grant to develop real-time threat detection for crowded venues.
• It goes beyond Geiger counters and offers fast source localization in dense, mobile environments.
• Target applications like Times Square during New Year’s or transport hubs.

IAEA at Chornobyl: Vigilance Amid Conflict

• Following a drone attack on the New Safe Confinement structure, the IAEA reaffirmed safety protocols.
• Continuous monitoring, thermal imaging, and drone surveillance showed no radiation leaks.
• Highlights the IAEA’s commitment to radiation safety even in war zones.

Medical & Environmental Monitoring

Qatar’s Dose Monitoring Program (HMC)

• Hamad Medical Corporation launched a hospital-wide Radiation Dose Monitoring Program.
• Automatically tracks and alerts clinicians on patient radiation exposure.
• Helps reduce unnecessary doses while optimizing diagnostic quality—especially for chronic care patients.

Environmental Radiation Monitoring Advances

• New models optimize sensor placement around nuclear facilities using plume simulations.
• Drones now survey post-wildfire areas to detect disturbed radioactive particles.
• Ocean and atmospheric detectors track long-term environmental contamination from nuclear activity.

Academic Highlights and Collaborations

TERI Space Gamma-Ray Imager (CZT Tech)

• Built with large CdZnTe semiconductors, TERI will test space-readiness for radiation detection from the ISS.
• It also aims to detect cosmic gamma-ray bursts, which are helpful for astrophysics and defense monitoring.
• Set to launch on DoD’s STP-H10 mission in 2025.

Cross-Sector Innovation

• CARMA II, the compact UWS detector, and PSI’s event safety tech all result from partnerships between universities, industry, and government.
• March also saw highlights from India’s RADNET-V conference, showcasing collaborative projects from students to startups.

Final Thoughts

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