BNC - An Introduction to Nuclear Scintillator Detectors

Digital Training Program - An Introduction to Nuclear Scintillator Detectors Berkeley Nucleonics, an authority in the nuclear science community, is offering an educational introduction to Nuclear Scintillation Detectors in an online training module. Scintillation detectors are woven into the fabric of many nuclear applications. From medicine to industrial process controls to power, the nuclear community is increasingly addressing world concerns. As a member of this technical community for 50 years, we offer valuable perspectives and hands-on expertise to engineers just getting started. Our web-based general introduction course should serve as a springboard for deeper exploration in more granular fields.

The web-based course takes 4 hours and touches on many aspects of nuclear materials, from the components of a PMT to temperature effects on crystals. This introductory course will begin to familiarize students with common terminology (anode, photocathode, PMT, isotope identification, peak resolution, photodiode, etc) and offer students the flexibility to complete it on their own schedule. As the nuclear sciences grow in popularity and applications, an entry level introduction course is a handy prerequisite to classroom or workshop discussions. The course is made available to instructors digitally as well to address any hosting requirements. Radiation detector training is also valuable to Hazmat professionals or Fire Fighters who seek a deeper understanding of the components in nuclear detection and isotope identification. “BNC supports a wide range of customers varying from operational field needs to demanding research programs. We integrate those experiences into our widely acclaimed hands on training programs. This web module is our natural extension, allowing users to train when most convenient for them”, remarked Robert Corsetti, the company’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “The interactive nature of the training is really interesting also.”

Please contact our office for a PPT copy of this training course.









Press Contact: Bernadette Jamieson, 800-234-7858 x210, bernadette.jamiesonberkeleynucleonics.com 

Technical Contact : Robert Corsetti, 800-234-7858 x250, robert.corsettiberkeleynucleonics.com 

About The Company:

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation is a leading manufacturer of precision electronic instrumentation for test, measurement and nuclear research. BNC has its corporate headquarters in San Rafael, California with several additional manufacturing facilities and sales offices located throughout the United States. Founded in 1963, BNC has been a recognized leader in the field of isotope identification and conducts hundreds of short courses on radiation detection and isotope identification for Federal and State agencies.

Keywords: Isotope Identifier, Radiation Detector, Nuclear Isotope Identification, Radiopharmaceuticals, Medical Isotopes, Nuclear Science, Custom Detectors, Custom Scintillator Detectors, Nuclear Measurements, Nuclear Physics, Photomultiplier Tube, Nuclear Medicine

SAM 940 Isotope Identifier Training in Indonesia

Recently Berkeley Nucleonics' representative from NATS, Ed Maswood, conducted an onsite training in Indonesia as a part of BNC's continuing global effort to assist in the monitoring and identification of nuclear isotopes.

For more information on BNC's online and onsite training please visit our website at www.berkeleynucleconics.com , call us at 415-453-9955 or email us directly info (at) berkeleynucleonics.com

Robots Investigate Fukushima Facilities

Fukushima uses advanced Robots to climb stairs and investigate facilities. Berkeley Nucleonics has deployed hundreds of radiation detection systems for isotope identification in Asian regions. Our most common units generate radiological data coupled with GPS data and the results are available online at www.berkeleynucleonics.com

http://youtu.be/ggr315PprFM

Berkeley Nucleonics - SAM 940 Isotope Identifier

Double-fisted....the technicians at Berkeley Nucleonics are testing RIIDs (radionuclide isotope identification devices) to meet a surge in demand following Fukushima. Model SAM 940 Revealer shown above with Lanthanum Bromide.

Japan Atomic Crisis Reaches Chernobyl Level

Japan raised the severity rating of its nuclear crisis to the highest, matching the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, after increasing radiation prompted the government to widen the evacuation zone and aftershocks rocked the country.

Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency yesterday raised the rating to 7. The accident at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant previously was rated a 5 on the global scale, the same as the 1979 partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.

Read more by clicking the link.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-12/japan-atomic-crisis-reaches-chernobyl-level-as-radiation-climbs.html

Berkeley Nucleonics sends Personal Radiation Detectors to Japan

As news crews from NBC News head to Japan to report on the difficult situation following last weeks earthquake and tsunami, they will be equipped with state-of-the-art radiation detection devices from Berkeley Nucleonics, a manufacturer of nuclear detection systems in California. The radiation detectors are about the size of a doctor’s pager and fit on the belt of the user. They alarm in the presence of nuclear radiation and store accumulated dose over a period of time. The instruments were provided on Saturday afternoon as company staff met with NBC couriers in San Rafael. The rush was in an urgent attempt to meet deadlines for staff reporters who were leaving the country. Other instruments from Berkeley Nucleonics currently deployed in Japan include the SAM Isotope Identifier, see here

The ability to alarm is useful for people not expecting to encounter nuclear radiation. Accumulated dose is an added feature that allows people to continue critical work such as search and rescue with a preset total dose alarm indicating when the worker should retreat from the area.

The thresholds for acceptable doses of radiation are set by various US agencies including the US EPA, which has maintained that an accumulated dose up to 5 REM (Roentgen Equivalent in Man) is acceptable per year. For emergency workers and first responders, higher limits are allowed. See the diagram below for common activities and the related exposure rates.

New Processing Capability Coupled with Time Slice Data Logging in Nuclear Detection System

Berkeley Nucleonics introduces the Rad-Cart, an integrated GPS radiological solution for environmental remediation. The nuclear detection system logs isotope specific and full data over a broad energy range and simplifies post processing activities. The nuclear detection and spectroscopy system includes large volume NaI detectors ( up to 4"x4"x16") with resolution at 7%, a performance specification virtually unmatched in the industry. Detector mechanicals and housings are customized for the terrain in the application with shock absorption options. The resultant data logs include second by second isotopic data along with GPS (Lat / Long / Altitude optional) and time stamps. The accurate logs of data are achievable via a time-slice technique that leverages patented algorithms with modern day processing power. The algorithm, called QCC, performs a compression that gives high sensitivity needed for pCi/gm measurements.

"QCC has been in the Berkeley Nucleonics isotope identifiers for over 10 years. What is new is the powerful data processing in the Eagle-L SAM System", comments Robert Corsetti, Nuclear Products Manager for Berkeley.

The microprocessor in the system performs fast data logging and automated acquisition simultaneously. All data is readily available on a flash card convenient for mapping and volumetric conversions. Streaming data is also available for systems tied to a USB or Ethernet network. For more, see www.berkeleynucleonics.com or call 800-234-7858.

About Berkeley Nucleonics
Founded in 1963, BNC is an internationally recognized pioneer in the development of precision test, measurement and nuclear instrumentation. Headquartered in San Rafael, California, BNC also provides an accredited training program and a variety of calibration custom development services.