Advancing Maintenance, Repair, and Calibration of Radiation Detection Equipment
Closed for Proposals
Project Type
Coordinated Research ProjectProject Code
J02014
CRP
2101
Approved Date
04/12/2018Project Status
ClosedStart Date
07/06/2019Expected End Date
31/12/2024Completed Date
22/08/2025Participating Countries
Albania, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Indonesia, Iran, Islamic Republic of, Jordan, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Viet Nam, ZambiaObjectives
The goal of the CRP is to develop technical documents, hardware and software tools, guidelines, and training materials for radiation detection instrument maintenance, repair, and calibration that can be used by Member States to effectively maintain and sustain nuclear security detection system used for detecting nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control.
Specific Objectives
Development of advanced methods and techniques to reduce radiation detection equipment life-cycle costs for maintenance, repair, and calibration.
Development of improved technical designs and specifications of radiation detection equipment for reliability, field repairability, modularity, and self-diagnostic feature.
Development of software tools for equipment diagnostics and state-of-health monitoring for predictive and preventive maintenance.
Development of improved training approaches and knowledge sharing platforms on maintenance, repair, and calibration of radiation detection equipment.
Development of technical guidance documents for implementation of maintenance management program and study of the effectiveness of the implementation.
Development of advanced methods and techniques to reduce radiation detection equipment life-cycle costs for maintenance, repair, and calibration.
Development of improved technical designs and specifications of radiation detection equipment for reliability, field repairability, modularity, and self-diagnostic feature.
Development of software tools for equipment diagnostics and state-of-health monitoring for predictive and preventive maintenance.
Development of improved training approaches and knowledge sharing platforms on maintenance, repair, and calibration of radiation detection equipment.
Development of technical guidance documents for implementation of maintenance management program and study of the effectiveness of the implementation.
Impact
Every Member State research team reported the positive impacts this project had on their institutions and their national nuclear security detection architecture. Many dysfunctional devices were repaired, upgraded, or in some cases replaced entirely to restore and enhance nuclear security operations. In the process of doing so, these research teams engaged with Front-Line Officers to train them in the proper maintenance, repair, and calibration of radiation detection equipment to extend the useful lifespan of their devices and improve the effectiveness and likelihood of their use.
Member State research teams also enhanced their own technical capabilities throughout the CRP. Multiple researchers within the CRP traveled on Expert Missions to visit other research teams to collaborate, experiment, and become proficient in new skills. One team managed to patent a new technology with the support they received from the Agency. The feedback from research teams was unanimously positive and supported the goals and objectives of the IAEA's Coordinated Research Activities.
Relevance
As indicated by the reported number of failed or less-functional radiation detection devices within this CRP, many Member States have difficulties maintaining a fully-functional fleet of radiation portal monitors, handheld detectors, and wearable personal radiation detectors. The cost of replacing these devices can be an obstacle to some Member States as they seek to ensure the nuclear security at and within their borders. This CRP provides Member States with tangible, actionable guidance to facilitate the maintenance, repair, and calibration of their radiation detection equipment and better equips Member States to support their Front-Line Officers through trainings and other constructive outreach.
CRP Publications
Iran
Abstract
2024
Development of a Digital System for Measurement of Probability Distribution Functions of Time Intervals between Successive Events in Nuclear Stochastic Processes
Cameroon
Journal Article
2024
Jacob Mbarndouka Taamté, Vitrice Ruben Folifack Signing, Modibo Oumar Bobbo, Kountchou Noubé Michaux, and Yerima Abba Hamadou. “Air Quality Assessment Based on a Smart Locally CO 2 Monitoring System with Validation by a Reference Instrument”. Sustainable Chemical Engineering (2024): 5, 259-278, https://doi.org/10.37256/sce.5120244286 (Universal Wiser Publisher).
Cameroon
Journal Article
2021
Mbarndouka Taamté Jacob, Sa?dou, Bodo Bertrand, Kountchou Noubé Michaux, Folifack Signing Vitrice Ruben,Younui Susan Yakum-Ntaw, Hamadou Yerima Abba, Chonlagarn Iamsumang, Charles Massey “ Low-cost wireless smart device design for radiation protection and nuclear security ”, Journal of Instrumentation, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/16/06/T06011 (IOP).
Cameroon
Journal Article
2021
Mbarndouka Taamté Jacob, Kountchou Noubé Michaux, Bodo Bertrand, Tchuente Siaka Yvette Flore, Nducol Nasser, Folifack Signing Vitrice Ruben, Tagne Mogue Ruth Line, Sa?dou“ Low-cost air quality monitoring system design and comparative analysis with a conventional method”, International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40095-021-00415-y (Springer).
Cameroon
Journal Article
2024
Taamté, Jacob Mbarndouka, Michaux Kountchou Noube, Vitrice Ruben Folifack Signing, Yerima Abba Hamadou, Hosoda Masahiro, and Shinji Tokonami. “Real-time air quality monitoring based on locally developed unmanned aerial vehicle and low-cost smart electronic device”. Journal of Instrumentation 19, no. 05 (2024): P05036, DOI 10.1088/1748-0221/19/05/P05036 (IOP).
Tunisia
Journal Article
2024
Dosimetry studies for an optimized reloading of a panoramic Cobalt-60 source using FLUKA Monte Carlo code
Vietnam
Journal Article (Under Review)
2024
"Advancing Operation and Maintenance Nuclear Security Detection Training for Vietnam Customs: Enhancing Radiation Detection Equipment Training through the Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) Framework"
Albania
Conference Paper
2025
“Root Cause Analysis of Kakavija Border Point Radiation Portal Monitor Failure in Albania” in the RAP 2025 International Conference of Radiation Applications in Physics, Chemistry, Medical Sciences, Engineering and Environmental Sciences. with authors Dritan Prifti, Gani Demiraj, Kozeta Tushe which will be held from 26-30 May 2025 at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) in Gournes, Crete, Greece.
Tunisia
Conference Address
2024
The International Conference on Physics Research, scheduled for October 11-13, 2024- Sousse Tunisia. our communication is entitled: "Characterizing Dose Rate Distribution around the Cobalt-60 Source to develop an Experimental Design for lonization Chamber Calibration using FLUKA Monte Carlo code
Iran
Abstract
2024
Measurement of True Counting Rate of Pulse Mode Detectors based on Time Interval Distribution
Ghana
Conference Address
2021
Nuclear Security Measures Adopted to Improve Regulatory Practices in the Prevention and Detection of Illicit Radioactive Material Trafficking in Ghana International Conference on the Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials (13- December 17, 2021): Overview · Indico for IAEA Conferences
Sri Lanka
Conference Address
2024
Importance and development of a centralized alarm assessment capacity with a Central Alarm Station (CAS) integrated Personal Radiation Detector Network (2024), U. S. Liyanaarachchi, H. T. D. S. Madusanka, R. A. N. C. Ranasinghe, P. N. G. Rathnaweera, International Conference on Nuclear Security: Shaping the Future, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
Burkina Faso
Conference Address
2023
Communication at the International Colloquium of the West African Physical Society on the quality control in HPGe gamma spectrometry, from 31 July to 02 August 2023, Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
Cameroon
Journal Article
2022
Jacob Mbarndouka Taamté, Vitrice Ruben Folifack Signing, Michaux Kountchou Noube, Bodo Bertrand Sa?dou “An efficient environmental monitoring data encryption algorithm based on DNA coding and hyperchaotic system”, International Journal of Information Security, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41870-022-00887-z , (Springer).
Egypt
Conference Address
2024
DEVELOPMENT OF MCA FOR GAMMA-RAY SPECTROSCOPY WITH CALIBRATION CAPABILITY IN FPGA Imbaby I. Mahmoud and Asmaa A. Abd el-Hamid Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10510539
Albania
Conference Paper
2025
“Vlora Radiation Portal Monitor Failure Analysis and Repair in Albania” in the 13th International Conference on Radiation, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Technology and Ecology (13th RAD Conference) with authors Dritan Prifti, Gani Demiraj which will be held from June 16 to June 20, 2025 at Hunguest Hotel Sun Resort, Herceg Novi, Montenegro.
Thailand
Conference Address
2024
Improvement of Radiation Data Recognition and Data Transmission for Personal Radiation Detector, was made at the 10th International Conference on Engineering and Technology (ICET-2024), Songkhla, Thailand on February 3, 2024.
Greece
Journal Article (under review)
2024
“Enhancement and Modifications to a Radiation Detection Instrument” was submitted for a poster presentation at the ANP2024-Applied Nuclear Physics International Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, scheduled for September 23-27, 2024.
Nigeria
Journal Article
Assessment of Optimal Use, Maintenance, Repair and Calibration of Radiation Monitoring Instruments in Nigeria (World Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology)
Burkina Faso
Journal Article (draft)
2025
A draft article on "Quality control in HPGe gamma spectrometry " is being finalized
Cameroon
Journal Article (under review)
2025
Kountchou Noube Michaux, Ioannidou Alexandra, Sa?dou, Ioannidou Eleftheria, Folifack Signing Vitrice Ruben, Mbarndouka Taamté Jacob, Konstantakos Vasileios and Nikolaidis Emmanouil. "Digitization of analog systems of older radiation monitoring instruments based on emerging technologies for radiation protection and nuclear security." Smart Science, In progrss and under review, (Taylor & Francis).
Cameroon/Research Center for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research
Technical report/Journal of Instrumentation
2021
Low-cost wireless smart device design for radiation protection and nuclear security
Nigeria
Journal Article
Retrospective Assessment of Calibration Behaviour, Faulty Trends and Durability of Commonly Used Radiation Survey Meters in Nigeria (World Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology)
Greece
Conference Address
2023
Third Technical Meeting on Radiation Detection Instruments for Nuclear Security
Greece
Conference Poster
2022
“Repairing and Calibration of Malfunctioned Radiation Detectors” was presented at the RAP 2022 conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, held from June 6-10, 2022.
Tunisia
Conference Address
2022
4th International Conference on Medical Technologies, 17- 19 November 2022, Hammamet, Tunisia: "A new design of an experimental prototype for calibrating medical radiation detectors: DetCal"
Sri Lanka
Article
2025
M. Phil underway – Ms. WADPB Senarathne, “Development of enhanced coating for a scintillation detector and personal radiation monitoring network”, Faculty of Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (Sept. 2023 – Sept. 2025).
Cameroon
Journal Article
2023
Vitrice Ruben Folifack Signing, Jacob Mbarndouka Taamté, Michaux Kountchou Noube, Zacharie Stève Omgba Abanda, Hamadou Yerima Abba, Sa?dou. “Real-time environmental radiation monitoring based on locally developed low-cost device and unmanned aerial vehicle”, Journal of Instrumentation, 18 P05031, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/18/05/P05031, 2023, (IOP).
Cameroon
Journal Article
2022
Jacob Mbarndouka Taamté, Koyang Fran?ois, Gondji Dieu Souffit, Oumar Bobbo Modibo, Hamadou Yerima Abba, Kountchou Noubé Michaux, Sa?dou, and Shinji Tokonami. "Low-cost radon monitoring with validation by a reference instrument." Instrumentation Science & Technology (2022): 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/10739149.2022.2095401, (Taylor & Francis).
Cameroon
Publication
2022
Mbarndouka Taamté Jacob, Nducol Nasser, Kountchou Noubé Michaux, Tchuente Siaka Yvette Flore, Sa?doua, “Zigbee-based wireless smart device for enclosed space real-time air quality monitoring: experiment, data analysis and risk assessment”, IOS Press Book, doi:10.3233/AISE220005, 2022 (IOS Press).
Greece
Conference Address
2023
“Comparing Dosimetric and Spectroscopic Capabilities of Handheld NaI(Tl) Gamma-Spectrometers” was delivered at the RAP 2023 conference in Anavyssos, Attica, Greece, from May 29 to June 2, 2023.
Cameroon/Research Center for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research
Technical report/Journal of Instrumentation
2021
Low-cost wireless smart device design for radiation protection and nuclear security
Burkina Faso
Journal Article (under review)
2025
"EVALUATION DE LA RADIOACTIVITE NATURELLE ET DES RISQUES RADIOLOGIQUES DES ZONES D’ANOMALIES URANIFERES DE VILLY ET DE SEBBA AU BURKINA FASO" is sent to the Journal de physique de la SOAPHYS for publishing
Iran
Abstract
2024
Online Estimation of Dead Time in Pulse Mode Radiation Detection Systems Based on Time Interval Distribution Method
Tunisia
Conference Address
2023
Third Technical Meeting on Radiation Detection Instruments for Nuclear Security: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities Vienna, Austria 14-18 August, 2023 (I was a Chair of the session: R&D on radiation detectors).
Iran
Abstract
2024
Monte Carlo Simulation of Dead Time Estimation Based on Time Interval Distribution Method
Sri Lanka
International Workshop
2023
Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights and Drafting of Patent Documents – In collaboration with National Science Foundation and National Intellectual Property Rights (2023.10.13). With the participation of 25 participants.
Burkina Faso
Journal Article (under review)
2025
"ALTERNATE METHOD FOR CALIBRATION OF PRDS BY MEANS OF GAMMA RADIATION EMITTED BY RADIONUCLIDES" is sent to a radio physical journal for publishing.