Coated Fiber Optic Chemical and Radiation Sensors

The Problem

Monitoring radiation within nuclear energy facilities is critical for safe operation and upkeep. Commonly, a large number of expensive sensors are deployed to detect specific modes of radiation. To achieve sufficient coverage many sensors are deployed across the facilities complicating the integration and oversight. Another issue is that there are no sensors capable of discriminating neutrons and gamma radiation.

The Solution

Researchers at the University of Tennessee in collaboration with the Y-12 Nuclear Security Complex have developed two patented technologies for the integrated sensing of radiation.

Polymer composite thermal neutron detectors - US8796631B2

One solution is the development of polymeric scintillators that utilize lithium-6. The lithium-6 scintillator has a high sensitivity for low energy neutrons and a high rejection rate of gamma radiation. The composite scintillator is easy to fabricate, inexpensive to produce, and can be applied in thin films to enhance coverage. The sensitivity of the composite scintillator is greater than existing glass technologies and can even be applied to high resolution imaging applications.

Coated fiber optic chemical and radiation sensors - US11371943B2

A sensing system composed of an optical fiber sensor array featuring a wide array of “sensitive” coatings has been developed. Drawing scintillator materials into thin films and coating optical fibers enables rapid and sensitive detection. This technology can be deployed with a wide range of scintillator materials which are specific to individual stimuli. These sensors enable integrated sensing over large distances with simple detection systems.

Benefits

Benefit
Cost effective scintillator for neutron detection
Independent sensing of critical environmental factors
High area coverage and simple centralization of data systems
Increased coverage and economics of sensing provides significantly greater resolution and monitoring of conditions

More Information

Derek Eitzmann, Ph.D.
Assistant Technology Manager, Multi Campus Office
865-974-1882 | deitzman@tennessee.edu

UTRF Reference ID: 22116 & 12020
Patent Status: US8796631B2 & US11371943B2

Innovators

Dayakar Penumadu

Fred N. Peebles Professor in Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Dr. Penumadu is a professor and the IAMM Chair of Excellence at UT. He received his Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and his research interests include carbon fiber reinforced polymeric composites and sandwich structures, environmental degradation, and multi-scale mechanics; multi-axial stress-strain-time behavior of multi-phase and granular materials; and non-invasive characterization and residual stress using neutron and x-ray tomography and diffraction. He is currently a Principal Investigator for a NSF IUCRC on Hybrid Composite Material Joining.