Rad-Hard Diamond Detectors for Civil Nuclear Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Interface Analysis Centre
Abstract
Proof-of-principle studies have shown that it will be possible to adapt the diamond detector technology used in the ATLAS Beam Conditions Monitor for measurements within the Highly Active Storage Tanks at Sellafield and similar highly radioactive facilities worldwide. These measurements consist of two distinct but complementary techniques: dose rate measurements; and gamma spectroscopy - the former is completely novel compared to the ATLAS BCM. Both techniques have so far been investigated, and preliminary proof-of-principle results from each are presented in the proposal document. Thus far, the majority of work has been focused on substantiating the dose rate measurement technique, which has been calibrated using controlled radioactive sources from 2.98mGy/hr to 88Gy/min. An initial successful deployment of a prototype dose rate system at Sellafield has taken place with a follow-up deployment planned as part of this IPS project.
In concert with dose rate measurements, the energy deposited by interaction of gamma photons with electronic grade synthetic diamond can be measured using a high speed amplifier and analogue-to-digital converter system (as shown by ATLAS). The measured energy indicates the specific radioisotope undergoing decay and this is the basis for the proposed spectroscopic measurement system. Our early prototype system and software is currently capable of measuring the number and energy of gamma photon interactions with the diamond crystal and, hence, we are confident that the technical risk of delivery is sufficiently low that it is appropriate to move towards developing a commercially available device.
This proposed commercialisation project will provide further development of both of our dose rate measurement and spectrometry-based diamond devices. Within the project period, we will develop both devices to at least TRL7, with miniaturisation of each whole system (front- and back-end electronics) such that radiation measurements can be made in-situ and remotely in almost any plant. Facilitated by the project partners Sellafield Limited, we will also use the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to provide dose rate calibration, measurement verification and, later, certification of our devices. By the end of the project we aim to have developed and patented a suitably attractive body of IP that cultivates licencing interest from a number of international detector manufacturers.
In concert with dose rate measurements, the energy deposited by interaction of gamma photons with electronic grade synthetic diamond can be measured using a high speed amplifier and analogue-to-digital converter system (as shown by ATLAS). The measured energy indicates the specific radioisotope undergoing decay and this is the basis for the proposed spectroscopic measurement system. Our early prototype system and software is currently capable of measuring the number and energy of gamma photon interactions with the diamond crystal and, hence, we are confident that the technical risk of delivery is sufficiently low that it is appropriate to move towards developing a commercially available device.
This proposed commercialisation project will provide further development of both of our dose rate measurement and spectrometry-based diamond devices. Within the project period, we will develop both devices to at least TRL7, with miniaturisation of each whole system (front- and back-end electronics) such that radiation measurements can be made in-situ and remotely in almost any plant. Facilitated by the project partners Sellafield Limited, we will also use the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to provide dose rate calibration, measurement verification and, later, certification of our devices. By the end of the project we aim to have developed and patented a suitably attractive body of IP that cultivates licencing interest from a number of international detector manufacturers.
Organisations
- University of Bristol (Lead Research Organisation)
- Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute (Collaboration)
- University of Sheffield (Collaboration)
- Cavendish Nuclear (Collaboration)
- Atomic Weapons Establishment (Collaboration)
- SELLAFIELD LTD (Collaboration)
- Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) (Collaboration)
- Sellafield (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Mackenzie G
(2021)
A diamond gammavoltaic cell utilizing surface conductivity and its response to different photon interaction mechanisms
in Materials Today Energy
Martin P
(2018)
Validation of a novel radiation mapping platform for the reduction of operator-induced shielding effects
in Journal of Radiological Protection
| Description | The award enabled the development of a new and well calibrated dose measurement device, which was able to provide real-time measurement of radiation at very high intensities. The device is made from diamond, and was developed to operate at the end of a 150m cable, with control and readout electronics kept at (safe) distance from the radiation source being measured. For nuclear decommissioning sites like Sellafield, Chernobyl and Fukushima, this new technology enables real-time measurement of dose over a wide range (0.08 Gy/hr to ~3000 Gy/hr) which is much higher than any conventional radiation detectors used in nuclear decommissioning, which typically saturate at much lower dose rates. Having the ability to measure in real time means you can (i) map radiation very effectively by moving the detector around e.g. slowly lowering it down a pipe into a nuclear cell, and (ii) use the device to measure/record prompt radiation bursts e.g. the type of radiation burst that would be associated with a nuclear criticality (accident) event. |
| Exploitation Route | Sellafield Ltd have their own diamond dosimeter (manufactured by our team) and routinely use it for measurements in highly active plant. The diamond dosimeter has also been procured for use in the National Nuclear User Facility for Hot Robotics. The project has led to a follow-on IPS project, with Cavendish Nuclear as partners to create a version of the diamond-detector device for neutron detection. This includes Cavendish licencing the existing dosimeter technology for commercial exploitation. Finally, a spin-off observation from a detector prototype was that of a gamma-voltaic effect. This has led to PhD research into the development and optimisation of diamond gamma voltaics for direct nuclear-electric conversion. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Healthcare |
| Description | Sellafield Ltd have their own diamond dosimeter (manufactured by our team) and routinely use it for measurements in highly active plant. The diamond dosimeter has also been procured for use in the National Nuclear User Facility for Hot Robotics. The project has led to a follow-on IPS project, with Cavendish Nuclear as partners to create a version of the diamond-detector device for neutron detection. This includes Cavendish licencing the existing dosimeter technology for commercial exploitation. Finally, a spin-off observation from a detector prototype was that of a gamma-voltaic effect. This has led to PhD research into the development and optimisation of diamond gamma voltaics for direct nuclear-electric conversion. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Electronics,Energy |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | AWE summer internship project on modelling of neutron interactions with isotopic diamond wafers |
| Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Atomic Weapons Establishment |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2018 |
| End | 09/2018 |
| Title | Dosimetry measurements for static irradiator systems |
| Description | The diamond detector technology is now routinely used at Bristol to calibrate and confirm the dose rates given to samples in the University's Cs-137 irradiator system. This chamber based system offers significant variation in dose dependent on sample position and hence the compact diamond dosimeter is ideal for rapid qualification of irradiation dose for test samples. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The diamond dosimeter allows rapid and real-time measurement of radiation dose at very high photon fluxes (1000's of Gy/hr). Previously the method of measuring dose at such high intensities was to use TLDs or Alanine, which both require analysis post-irradiation to determine the experienced dose (they are not real-time dose measurement techniques). |
| Description | AWE high energy imaging partnership |
| Organisation | Atomic Weapons Establishment |
| Department | National Nuclear Security Programme |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | For the AWE we have been providing expertise on laser-driven gamma and neutron pulses as well as novel fast neutron imaging technologies using Diamond with a scintillation backing material. We are also supporting them in the establishment of a national high energy imaging facility. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The AWE have co-funded a Royal Academy of Engineering professorial fellowship for me to run for 5 years until February 2021. This is a financial contribution of £50,000 per year, plus additional funding specifically for projects and secondments of members of my team. |
| Impact | Outputs have inlcuded: - A modelling study report on the use of diamond for fast neutron imaging - Conducting a joint experiment at the LANSCE neutron facility in the USA to test deuterium infused diamond with a scintillator backing material as a fast neutron imaging material. - Undertaking a deuterium infusion study of diamond (at the AWE) to determine the deuterium (H-2) solubility as a function of pressure and temperature. The collaboration is ongoing and we will conduct further experiments in the next 12 months. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Cavendish Nuclear - detectors partnership |
| Organisation | Cavendish Nuclear |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We have been partnering with Cavendish (formally) in order to provide a commercial user and vendor of our diamond detector technologies. We are providing the technology and knowhow and they are providing a manufacturing and marketing capability once a commercialisation agreement is in place. We have also partnered with them to win a Radiometric Measurements framework contract from Sellfafield ltd. which includes utilisation of our detector prototypes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As above, Cavendish have offered to act as commercialisation partner and included us in their framework team in support of Sellafield. |
| Impact | As above |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Cavendish-Babcock |
| Organisation | Cavendish Nuclear |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Providing information and updates on the gamma and beta voltaic technologies as part of the ASPIRE project as well as the wide nuclear robotics research hub grants. |
| Collaborator Contribution | 2 days per year (£1600 est.) for expert advice, consultancy and attendance at the annual advisory board |
| Impact | None as yet |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Japan Atomic Energy Agency |
| Organisation | Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The grant award has led to the establishment of a strategic partnership with the JAEA based around fallout and fuel debris analysis. There has been an MoU signed by both institutions to permit collaboration, exchange of personnel and samples. Subsequently, the remit of the MoU has been widened (2019) to include joint work on diamond battery (ASPIRE) technology, high dose-rate diamond detectors and radiation mapping robots. We have contributed expertise, consultancy, shared data recorded from Japanese samples and sites and have won several experimental sessions at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron facility for fallout particle analysis. JAEA colleagues have participated in all of our UK synchrotron experiments and participated and presented at UK workshops and conferences e.g. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Already we have had over 15 visits from the JAEA since the start of the partnership as well as a suite of fallout samples from Fukushima and access to nuclear fallout storage sites and other restricted areas of the Fukushima fallout zone. The site access and samples provided are extremely valuable. |
| Impact | Several joint publications. Widening of the relationship to cover other areas such as radiation detection, UAVs and most recently diamond batteries. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute (KURRI) |
| Organisation | Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have been working with KURRI as our project partners to utilise their test reactor and Co-60 irradiation facility in Osaka to (I) neutron activate C-13 diamond samples and (2) utilise the irradiator facility to test our gamma voltaic prototype devices. As part of this we have modelled neutron irradiations of our diamond wafers in their reactor core. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The have attended Industrial Advisory Board meetings in person and by Skype. They have also provided access to their Co-60 irradiator and have already deployed one set of test samples in their reactor core for neutron irradiation. They have provided VERY substantial in-kind support by providing this unique access. |
| Impact | Access to a test reactor! We don't have one in the UK so this is a very significant outcome. What is even more substantial is that we don't have to pay for access. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | NAMRC on atomic powered sensors |
| Organisation | University of Sheffield |
| Department | Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are providing the Nuclear AMRC with prototype gamma-voltaic and beta-light-voltaic powered sensor units for deployment on Sellafield site. In the first phase of the programme we are providing 3 prototypes but in the second phase we will received more substantial funding to develop more advanced sensor units. |
| Collaborator Contribution | NAMRC have provided the opportunity to deploy prototype sensor units at Sellafield site up in Cumbria. They have also provided direct funding for a small set of demonstrator prototypes. |
| Impact | Too early at this stage. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Sellafield - link for diamond devices |
| Organisation | Sellafield Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Development of an ASPIRE sensor pod for demonstration deployment at the Sellafield site, ultimately targeted for deployment in a nuclear waste store. The ASPIRE sensors are being designed specifically (with input from Sellafield) for nuclear deployments in the extreme radiation environments of Intermediate and High-level nuclear waste stores. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sellafield have been instrumental in a number of ways: (1) Providing industrial support for a PhD student aimed at developing the gamma-voltaic aspect of the ASPIRE technology, (2) Direct negotiation with the Regulator (ONR) and BEIS on commercialisation and legislation of the technology, (3) Attendance at Industrial Advisory Board meetings, (4) Advice on graphite wastes from fission power that might be most suitable for processing to recover C-14 for the ASPIRE beta-voltaics and (5) Developing opportunities for on-site demonstration deployments of the ASPIRE prototype sensor pods before the end of the project. |
| Impact | This collaboration is inherently multi-disciplinary - involving materials scientists, electrical engineers and physicists. Already an outcome is that we have facilitated Sellafield being directly involved with the shaping of the Culham H3AT facility. Further significant outputs are planned once further patents are filed. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Title | Detection apparatus |
| Description | A novel dose rate measurement detector and associated instrumentation for application in very highly radioactive plant environments such as decommissioning cells and nuclear reactor cores. |
| IP Reference | GB1703496.8 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | None as yet but we are in talks with a number of companies |
| Title | RADIATION DETECTION APPARATUS |
| Description | In an example, a radiation detection apparatus (100) comprises a diamond radiation detector (102) and a cable (104). A first end of the cable (104) is arranged to be connected to a voltage source (108) and an ammeter (110) and a second end of the cable (104) is arranged to be connected to the diamond radiation detector (102). The cable (104) is arranged to connect the voltage source (108) to the diamond radiation detector (102) to provide a bias voltage and to connect the ammeter (110) to measure a current generated by radiation passing through the diamond radiation detector (102). |
| IP Reference | WO2018158591 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | We are currently in discussions with a number of companies with regards to licencing the technology |
| Description | Babcock-Cavendish collaboration and meetings on nuclear waste and plant inspection |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A workshop organised by the South West Nuclear Hub for the purposes of sharing information on our research on nuclear waste and nuclear plant inspection. This specifically included diamond detectors as well as laser-driven gamma and neutron imaging of waste packages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |