Advancing Maintenance, Repair, and Calibration of Radiation Detection Equipment
Closed for Proposals
Project Type
Coordinated Research ProjectProject Code
J02014
CRP
2101
Approved Date
4 December 2018Project Status
ClosedStart Date
7 June 2019Expected End Date
31 December 2024Completed Date
22 August 2025Participating Countries
Albania, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Indonesia, Iran, Islamic Republic of, Jordan, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Viet Nam, ZambiaObjectives
The goal of the CRP is to develop technical documents, hardware and software tools, guidelines, and training materials for radiation detection instrument maintenance, repair, and calibration that can be used by Member States to effectively maintain and sustain nuclear security detection system used for detecting nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control.
Specific Objectives
Development of advanced methods and techniques to reduce radiation detection equipment life-cycle costs for maintenance, repair, and calibration.
Development of improved technical designs and specifications of radiation detection equipment for reliability, field repairability, modularity, and self-diagnostic feature.
Development of software tools for equipment diagnostics and state-of-health monitoring for predictive and preventive maintenance.
Development of improved training approaches and knowledge sharing platforms on maintenance, repair, and calibration of radiation detection equipment.
Development of technical guidance documents for implementation of maintenance management program and study of the effectiveness of the implementation.
Development of advanced methods and techniques to reduce radiation detection equipment life-cycle costs for maintenance, repair, and calibration.
Development of improved technical designs and specifications of radiation detection equipment for reliability, field repairability, modularity, and self-diagnostic feature.
Development of software tools for equipment diagnostics and state-of-health monitoring for predictive and preventive maintenance.
Development of improved training approaches and knowledge sharing platforms on maintenance, repair, and calibration of radiation detection equipment.
Development of technical guidance documents for implementation of maintenance management program and study of the effectiveness of the implementation.
Impact
Every Member State research team reported the positive impacts this project had on their institutions and their national nuclear security detection architecture. Many dysfunctional devices were repaired, upgraded, or in some cases replaced entirely to restore and enhance nuclear security operations. In the process of doing so, these research teams engaged with Front-Line Officers to train them in the proper maintenance, repair, and calibration of radiation detection equipment to extend the useful lifespan of their devices and improve the effectiveness and likelihood of their use.
Member State research teams also enhanced their own technical capabilities throughout the CRP. Multiple researchers within the CRP traveled on Expert Missions to visit other research teams to collaborate, experiment, and become proficient in new skills. One team managed to patent a new technology with the support they received from the Agency. The feedback from research teams was unanimously positive and supported the goals and objectives of the IAEA's Coordinated Research Activities.
Relevance
As indicated by the reported number of failed or less-functional radiation detection devices within this CRP, many Member States have difficulties maintaining a fully-functional fleet of radiation portal monitors, handheld detectors, and wearable personal radiation detectors. The cost of replacing these devices can be an obstacle to some Member States as they seek to ensure the nuclear security at and within their borders. This CRP provides Member States with tangible, actionable guidance to facilitate the maintenance, repair, and calibration of their radiation detection equipment and better equips Member States to support their Front-Line Officers through trainings and other constructive outreach.
CRP Publications
Tunisia
Conference Address
2023
Third Technical Meeting on Radiation Detection Instruments for Nuclear Security: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities Vienna, Austria 14-18 August, 2023 (I was a Chair of the session: R&D on radiation detectors).