Collection of ENEA technology and expertise
Gamma radiation qualification and radiation hardness tests for nuclear, high energy physics, space, medicine and hostile environments.
Application sectors
Problem to solve
The main issue to address concerns the need to ensure the safety, reliability, and durability of materials and components used in harsh environments exposed to radiation, such as nuclear facilities, medical field, and high-energy physics experiments. Materials must withstand extreme conditions without degrading, in order to avoid operational and environmental risks. Furthermore, the safe management of radioactive waste requires the development of cementitious matrices that meet international standards and are capable of isolating radionuclides from the environment over the long term. Without accurate qualification and irradiation testing, it is not possible to guarantee the validity and integrity of the adopted solutions, which could have critical consequences for health, the environment, and the reliability of infrastructures.
Description
Execution of qualification tests on concrete matrices for the storage of radioactive waste according to standard regulations. Execution of radiation hardness tests on various types of materials and systems, including cables, optical components, opto-electronic systems, detectors, scintillators, optical fibers, optical coupling materials, and electronic systems for High-Energy Physics experiments, medical applications, and harsh environments. Dedicated test stations specifically designed for the tests of interest; experimental dosimetric measurements (also upon specific customer requests); availability of facilities for setting up experimental measurements during testing; possibility to carry out tests under voltage, in modified atmospheres, and at different temperatures; remote test management with online measurements; issuance of Test Reports in accordance with ISO 9001 certification; possibility to perform spectroscopic characterization analyses before and after irradiation and accelerated aging treatments.
Innovative aspects and advantages
- Extended shelf life: Slows down spoilage and microbial growth, allowing for longer preservation.
- Improved food safety: Eliminates or reduces pathogenic microorganisms, thereby lowering the risk of foodborne illnesses.
- Minimal impact on sensory and nutritional qualities: Unlike thermal treatments, it does not significantly alter taste, color, texture, or nutritional value.
- Reduction of food waste: By increasing the durability and stability of food products, losses along the production and distribution chain are minimized.
- Reduction of pest insect populations in an environmentally friendly way, without the use of pesticides (SIT), and assurance of reliable and recognized measurements, essential for food quality and safety (metrological traceability)
- Performance of dedicated dosimetric measurements
- Possibility to adapt the test to the needs of the Customer
- Step or continuous irradiation with wide choice of irradiation parameters
- Support of the Calliope Facility team for test organization and execution
- Tests performed according to the ISO 9001 certification
Admissible applications
- Irradiation testing on detectors, optical components, scintillators, optical fibers, materials for optical coupling, cables, and electronic systems for High-Energy Physics experiments, medical applications, and harsh environments
- Qualification testing of concrete matrices for the storage of radioactive waste according to standard regulations
- Radiation resistance testing of materials (cables, optical components, and optoelectronic systems) for fission or fusion nuclear reactors
Research group involved
Revision date
04-06-2025
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