Detection of Ionizing Radiation - Integrated Microfluidic Systems for the Analysis of Liquid Samples (In Situ)
Keywords: Ionizing radiation, microfluidics, in-situ analysis, semiconductor detector, diamond electrode, PIPS detector
Radioactive materials emit ionizing radiation, which poses a health and environmental hazard even in the smallest quantities and can cause permanent damage to human tissue and genetic material. In hospitals, mining facilities, nuclear reprocessing plants, and storage sites for radioactive materials, continuous on-site monitoring of liquid waste in real time should therefore be conducted. The invention—a measuring device developed at the Technical University of Dortmund—enables the detection of radioactive isotopes that emit alpha radiation in liquid samples. Using microfluidic components, the aqueous sample is first passed through a filter chamber and then into the detection chamber, which contains a semiconductor detector and a MEMS heating element. These components are protected by a chemically inert diamond coating ranging from 20 nm to 1 µm. The measuring device concentrates the radioactive substances in the immediate vicinity of the detector, thereby significantly increasing the signal strength. After the measurement process, the detection chamber is cleaned electrochemically. Such a device could be used in particular to analyze wastewater and groundwater.
Advantages
- Microfluidic Measurement System
- On-site (in-situ) measurement method
- Micromechanical integration of the heating element with the detector
- High reliability due to diamond protective coating
Commercial Applications
Such sensor systems could be used both in measurement technology for environmental analysis and in security technology applications. TU Dortmund University is particularly interested in collaborations with companies that would like to jointly further develop this technology, e.g., within the framework of publicly funded projects.
Current Status
An application has been filed with the German Patent and Trademark Office. Further nationalizations are possible within the priority year or via a subsequent PCT application. We offer interested companies the opportunity to license the technology and to further develop it in collaboration with the inventors at TU Dortmund University.
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An invention of the Technical University of Dortmund.