Emerging Areas of Shielding Research—a Bird’s Eye View

Abstract

BackgroundRadiation shielding technology has its origins in the 1890s with the discovery of X-rays and gamma rays, their early applications, and the associated hazards that came with them [1]. The main goal of this technology is to protect workers and the public from the detrimental effects of high levels of radiation by designing physical barriers that reduce the radiation dose.Throughout its 65-year history, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, now Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), has been a leader in developing shielding methodologies and performing calculations for reactor and nuclear facilities designs [2][3][4], accelerators [5,6], and other medical applications such as the 60 Co cancer therapy machine [7]. Recently, CNL has been growing its capability by developing advanced shielding analysis methods for emergency preparedness [8,9], waste management [10], and medical applications such as cyclotron shielding design. Similarly, other research centres in Canada (e.g., Canadian Space Agency, universities, Defence Research and Development Canada, etc.) have been carrying out research in shielding analysis and new materials development. Other applications in addition to those described above (e.g., manned deep space exploration and development of lightweight and efficient materials for radiation protection) are gaining importance due to technological advances as well as increased need by private industries and the research community.This paper provides a high-level summary of emerging research areas for shielding analysis and their current status and evaluates these areas in terms of rewards to the scientific community and industry, such as potential for marketable materials and devices, novel methodologies that would increase efficiency and cost savings, cross-disciplinary applications, and development of expertise and highly qualified personnel. Identification of Research AreasFor this assessment, shielding analysis was identified as a required component of research and development (R&D) activities in the following 6 areas:1. remote reactor monitoring, 2. source reconstruction and inverse shielding methods, For personal use only.