Smart Radiation Detector is a project published on kickstarter.com that aims to help the Japanese, and not only, to check the level of radiation in the areas affected by the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The small device made by a team of Chinese researchers is very cheap and uses an iOS app to present user data. The device takes the data with the help of some implemented sensors and the iPhone application calculates them and displays the radiation level. The idea is very good and comes in the context of the unavailability of cheap devices to measure radiation. For the construction of these devices, cheap components that can be found anywhere on the market were used, and the developers claim that their accuracy should be similar to that of devices specially built for the detection of radiation.
We are an international, volunteer team of engineers, designers and scientists. We believe that everyone – children, students, mothers, senior citizens, anyone – has the right to know the correct radiation level especially in and around nuclear power plants. Information regarding radiation should be readily available, just like the temperature outside or the weather.
Specifications
Sensor: PIN photo diode x8 (reverse biased and shielded)
Detectable radiations: Beta and Gamma radiation
Sensitivity: 0.5uSv/h -> 124cpm (without beta radiation shield)
Software features: CPM, uSv/h (currently under development) and Oscilloscope
Dimensions: about W55mm x H28mm x D8mm (except case, battery, DC line and phone plug)
Power consumption: about 1mA
Battery: 006P/9V (outside the case).
The device is designed by an international team of a non-governmental organization that wants to help the population of Japan severely affected by the disaster this spring. The device would cost only $20 and the project has already received double the proposed funding and in 2 weeks the money will be delivered to the developers and the large-scale production of the Smart Radiation Detector will begin.
