Particle Physics for Radioprotection – P2R

The Joint Laboratory (LabCom) P2R (Particle Physics for Radiation protection) proposition focuses on the development of innovating detectors for the radiation protection to meet the needs for public health, control and safety.

The public laboratory in charge of the project is the Centre d’Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux-Gradignan (UMR 5597 Univ. Bordeaux CNRS/IN2P3), which is part of the Institut National de Physique des Particules et de Physique Nucléaire (IN2P3). The distinctive feature of the IN2P3 is networking, due to the nature of the researches carried out and the design of “large research infrastructures” (particle accelerators, etc.) These experiences emerge within international cooperation where the units of the IN2P3 work together as one large laboratory. Working methods, common tools and adapted management have thus been developed. Naturally, the research subjects the CENBG wants to develop within the LabCom P2R have been reinforced inside the IN2P3 network.

The partner company concerned is Carmelec, based in Perpignan, specializing in the design and manufacture of measuring devices for radiation protection and Nondestructive Testing (NDT).
This LabCom project has been approved by the competitive cluster of nuclear industry Nuclear Valley to which Carmelec belongs.

Continuous progress in radiation detection allows to meet ever more demanding high technical standards in order to limit the risks taken by the staff directly involved in the potentially contaminated sites. The contamination measurement at the nearest contamination point, in addition to the public health problem, meets the confinement of radiation contamination requirements by identifying them as close as possible in order to prevent dissemination. This request is equally important for the dissassembling of nuclear powerplants. New societal needs for civilian security and protection are appearing.

The scientific and technical program of the P2R Joint Laboratory is centered on the detection of ionised radiations by applying innovating techniques coming from the fundamental research in particle physics and that may be industrialised.
The operating logic of this joint laboratory is structured around the following steps:
- Carmelec identifies upstream the needs and potential markets;
- The research teams determine the most appropriate measurement techniques and methods;
- The development of innovative detectors is carried out in close collaboration;
- When a sufficient level of maturity has been achieved, the technology is transferred to the company who will take charge of industrialization, production and marketing.
This strategy makes possible to integrate as soon as possible the constraints of industrialization, use and cost to ensure at best the adequacy between the projects developed and the market need.

The research axis already identified for the coming years are :
- a beta surface radiation meter able to work in harsh gamma environnements in the framework of a tender from EDF expected in 2017 with more demanding specifications within 3 years.
- the fast neutron measurement in harsh gamma flux is a significant challenge for nuclear industry. EDF is expected to replace its current neutron detectors which are obsolete. A possible outcome of this project would concern the homeland security and nuclear material transportation fields. This project is aimed at an industrialisation within 2 years.
- The radon measurement with a gaseous detector is another project. Its goal is to be able to measure low radon level in high hydrometrical environment. It may be developed in a 3 years timescale.
- The development of low cost gamma meter for homeland security is also considered. The timescale of development is 4 to 5 years.

The P2R Joint Laboratory will allow to amplify the already positive results obtained in the past years.