Development of novel microfluidics systems for radionuclide detection

放射性核素分布和扩散的可靠评估是环境过程研究、常规和事故后环境监测、工业设施监测和过程控制的基础。这类评估一般依赖抽样和实验室分析，限制了可实现的空间分辨率，并导致数据提供延迟。现场技术可以提供具有显著提高的空间分辨率的实时数据和时间趋势，特别是如果探测系统与移动平台相结合的话。远程探测在最大限度地减少操作员暴露在辐射中也有好处，在事故后情况或监测高辐射剂量环境(如核设施或石油/天然气设施)时尤其重要。现有的现场技术侧重于测量相对容易探测的伽马发射放射性核素。纯粹的贝塔和阿尔法放射性核素，如~(90)Sr和~(90)Pu，构成了重大的技术挑战。微流控技术与在线预浓缩策略相结合，可以提供一个高度灵活、灵敏的平台，可以开发该平台来测量各种贝塔和阿尔法放射性核素。这种系统有可能融入自动驾驶车辆，大大提高海洋环境中放射性核素扩散的空间分辨率和实时测绘，并为核设施退役调查(管道、储存罐等)提供有吸引力的能力。此外，这些平台可以集成到自动化控制系统中，为反应堆运行和废物管理提供改进的过程监测和控制。

Robust assessment of radionuclide distribution and dispersion is fundamental to environmental process studies, routine and post-accident environmental monitoring, industrial facility monitoring and process control. Such assessments have generally relied on sampling and laboratory analysis, limiting the spatial resolution achievable and resulting in delays in data availability. In-situ techniques can provide real time data and temporal trending with significantly improved spatial resolution, particularly if the detection system is combined with a mobile platform. Remote detection also provides benefits in minimizing operator exposure to radiation, particularly important in post-accident scenarios or monitoring of high radiation dose environments such as nuclear or oil / gas facilities. Existing in-situ techniques have focused on measurement of gamma emitting radionuclides which are relatively easy to detect. Pure beta and alpha emitting radionuclides, such as 90Sr and Pu, pose a significant technical challenge. Microfluidics coupled with on-line preconcentration strategies can provide a highly flexible, sensitive platform which can be developed to measure a wide range of beta and alpha emitting radionuclides. Such systems offer the potential for integration into autonomous vehicles, providing significant improvements in spatial resolution and real-time mapping of radionuclide dispersion in the marine environment as well as offering attractive capability for nuclear site decommissioning surveys (pipelines, storage tanks etc). Additionally, such platforms can be integrated into automated control systems providing improved process monitoring and control for reactor operation and waste management.