Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The research program is in radiation detection techniques, dosimetry, field characterization, visualization and safety & security from nuclear or radiological material present during emergency situations, encompassing exposures from accidents at nuclear facilities and radiation exposures from malicious acts. The program is focused on uncrewed ground vehicle deployment of a variety of radiation detection sensors for real-time and retrospective dosimetry. In addition, the program studies vulnerabilities of radiological sources and simulation assessment techniques. Events in the aftermath of the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear accident demonstrate a need for continuing advancements in radiation field assessment, exposure assessment and risk modeling. Recent events in Ukraine at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have demonstrated that our prior beliefs that nuclear plants would be exempt from military aggression are completely wrong, and that we need robust and resilient systems to characterize their environments and determine hazards. Rapid assessment of radiation fields post-incident and determination of potential for exposure can yield data that is of vital use to emergency response and security personnel. The research program is constructed from a number of research areas, presented as (1) development of field-portable instrumentation and techniques for rapid assessment of radiation fields and exposure using state-of-the-art approaches, (2) modeling, simulation and visualization of radiation fields using virtual reality, augmented reality, synthetic environments and machine learning approaches, and (3) exploring security issues as related to radioactive material use and misuse, with the emphasis of determining vulnerabilities and better integration with safety functions (synthetic environment simulation). The program is designed to train highly qualified personnel (undergraduate, master, doctoral and post-doctoral) in the areas of radiation detection, measurement and analysis, retrospective dosimetry, radiation field characterization, emergency preparedness, response and countermeasures, and safety and security of nuclear and radiological materials. The research will have great significance to the emergency response, nuclear security and health physics communities, as well as industrial and government agencies that have requirements to protect first responders and the public. The research will benefit the scientific community by adding to the knowledge base of rapid radiation field characterization, in-field and retrospective dose assessment and security vulnerabilities, and by training a number of highly qualified personnel that will benefit Canada's safety and security capacity building efforts.