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Review
. 2021 Nov 17;21(22):7629.
doi: 10.3390/s21227629.

Ionizing Radiation Monitoring Technology at the Verge of Internet of Things

Muhammad Ikmal Ahmad  1 , Mohd Hafizi Ab Rahim  2 , Rosdiadee Nordin  3 , Faizal Mohamed  1 , Asma' Abu-Samah  3 , Nor Fadzilah Abdullah  3
Affiliations
Review

Ionizing Radiation Monitoring Technology at the Verge of Internet of Things

Muhammad Ikmal Ahmad et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

As nuclear technology evolves, and continues to be used in various fields since its discovery less than a century ago, radiation safety has become a major concern to humans and the environment. Radiation monitoring plays a significant role in preventive radiological nuclear detection in nuclear facilities, hospitals, or in any activities associated with radioactive materials by acting as a tool to measure the risk of being exposed to radiation while reaping its benefit. Apart from in occupational settings, radiation monitoring is required in emergency responses to radiation incidents as well as outdoor radiation zones. Several radiation sensors have been developed, ranging from as simple as a Geiger-Muller counter to bulkier radiation systems such as the High Purity Germanium detector, with different functionality for use in different settings, but the inability to provide real-time data makes radiation monitoring activities less effective. The deployment of manned vehicles equipped with these radiation sensors reduces the scope of radiation monitoring operations significantly, but the safety of radiation monitoring operators is still compromised. Recently, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology has been introduced to the world and offered solutions to these limitations. This review elucidates a systematic understanding of the fundamental usage of the Internet of Drones for radiation monitoring purposes. The extension of essential functional blocks in IoT can be expanded across radiation monitoring industries, presenting several emerging research opportunities and challenges. This article offers a comprehensive review of the evolutionary application of IoT technology in nuclear and radiation monitoring. Finally, the security of the nuclear industry is discussed.

Keywords: Internet of Things; IoT; UAV; drone; radiation monitoring; radiation safety; radiation sensor; remote monitoring; unmanned aerial vehicles.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The classification of radiation detectors that are being used in radiation monitoring.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Examples of radiation survey meters used in radiation monitoring.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A radiation portal monitor at customs and immigration check point Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, Malaysia.
Figure 4
Figure 4
General layers of Internet of Things in radiation monitoring.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Summary of the challenges of radiation monitoring at the verge of the Internet of Things.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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