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The Smart Techie was renamed Siliconindia India Edition starting Feb 2012 to continue the nearly two decade track record of excellence of our US edition.

November - 2009 - issue > Technology

Nuclear Radiation Detection Through motes

Sridharan Mani

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

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This article is not to debate on whether the nuclear energy is needed or not. Nuclear energy has become part and parcel of our day-to-day lives. For the ever-growing power needs, nuclear energy seems to provide some good answers to it. As of 2008, India has 17 nuclear power plants generating 4,120 MW and six units of 3,160 MW are under construction (Source: Reuters). It is India’s goal to expand its nuclear power generation capacity to at-least 20,000 MW by year 2020 and it is confirmed by (IANS) Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman Anil Kakodkar on Feb,18, 2009.

Effects of radiation levels on humans

Here comes the safety question. How to safeguard the individuals from being affected by nuclear radiation? Nuclear Energy is like friction, a necessary evil. According to "Nuclear Arms Race: Craig and Jungerman, 1990" a dose-rem (roentgen equivalent man) of 5 and above cause damage to human health. Please refer to the following table on the effects of human body due to nuclear radiation.

Gold Leaf Electroscope – Detecting Radiation – Why it is ineffective?

Becquerel invented the 'Gold leaf electroscope' right after the discovery of radiation. He used the concept of ionization of gases to detect radiation in a region. Gold leaf electroscope consists of a metal rod (R) with two small gold foils (G). The metal rod is connected to a metal plate (P) at the upper end. The rod is help by an insulating bush (B) and kept inside in a glass (G) or earthed metal box to protect gold leaves from air currents (refer fig1).