LightLink® – Advances in Detector Technology based on Plastic Scintillators for α, β and γ Radiation
Plastic scintillators coupled with photomultipliertubes (PMT), have served as reliable large-area detectors for α and β radiation as well as large-volume γ detectors for many years. This contribution summarizes conventional plastic scintillation detector technologies and explores the recent strides made in detector technology through the integration of Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPAD) specifically Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM). […]
Pulse Pileup Restoration Techniques for High Rate Gamma Spectroscopy with LaBr3(Ce) Scintillation detectors
Gamma spectroscopy is limited by the effects of pulse pileup, which occurs when radiation detection events arrive in rapid succession, causing signal contributions from individual events to overlap. Traditionally, pileup events are discarded by a pileup detection algorithm, as the pileup events distort the pulse height spectrum. This mitigates the degradation in energy resolution but […]
Enhancing Accuracy and Reproducibility in Self-Shielded Box Calibrator
The McMaster University Health Physics Department provides radiation safety & health physics support to a wide range of users, both internal and external to the University. Recently, as part of an effort to enhance our services, we obtained a JL Shepherd & Associates Model 89 self-shielded Cs-137 box calibrator. This is an efficient and conventional […]
Advancing plans for the disposal of Canada’s intermediate and high-level waste in deep geological repositories
The NWMO’s original mandate under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act was to develop and implement Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel. The site selection process for that repository, launched in 2010, culminated in 2024 with the selection of the Revell site between Ignace and Dryden on the traditional territory […]
CMSR CANDU LLW Source Term Characterization
Operational and legacy CANDU generated low-level radioactive waste (LLW) is monitored, inventoried, and segregated at the Clean-Energy Materials Sorting and Recycling (CMSR) laboratory, a joint project between Laurentis Energy Partners (Laurentis) and McMaster University. At the CMSR laboratory, swipes and large area wipes (LAWs) of contaminated LLW material and solid LLW samples were collected for […]
Radiation Protection Practices and Environmental Stewardship: Insights from the Port Hope Area Initiative
The Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) is one of Canada’s largest environmental cleanup projects, focused on safely managing historic low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) while prioritizing radiation protection and environmental responsibility. This presentation will explore the key radiation protection (RP) practices used in the project and share insights on how these measures help balance worker safety, […]
Neutron radiation from CANDU Refurbishment Waste
Following identification of unanticipated neutron radiation from CANDU refurbishment waste, originating from waste associated with retube activities industry wide learning were achieved. Specific to Bruce Power we will look to present a high level overview of what transpired following identification of this hazard. The presentation will review;
Bruce Power Radiation Protection – Our role in site operations and the future of Bruce Power
Situated on the shore of Lake Huron, Bruce Power provides nuclear power to one in three homes, hospitals, schools and businesses in Ontario and medical isotopes across the globe to keep medical equipment sterilized and assist in fighting disease. Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program and Major Component Replacement Project are extending the life of the reactor […]
Creating the Future Together: Canada’s Plan for Used Nuclear Fuel
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization, tasked with the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel in a Deep Geological Repository (DGR), in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come. In 2024 the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) and the Township of Ignace as […]
The Rhisotope Project: Using nuclear technology to help reduce the poaching of rhinoceros
South Africa is home to 80% of White and Black Rhinoceros populations. Over the past 150 years there has been a decline in these populations of nearly 95%, due in large part to habitat loss and poaching. Current official rates of poaching sit at 3.2% per annum. If this number reaches 3.5% then there will […]