3D Printing of Scintillating Silicates for the Detection of Radioactive Fluids – PriSci

The PriSci project aims at developing 3D-printed scintillating materials to detect radioactive fluids, an essential aspect for improving safety in nuclear energy and medical applications. The main challenge addressed is the need for real-time, in situ detection of radioactive fluids, including gases like 85Kr, 222Rn and 3H, which are difficult to monitor due to the short-range penetration of emitted particles (beta). Current detection methods are not only time-consuming but also produce hazardous radioactive waste. To overcome this, the PriSci projects proposes the development of scintillators with hierarchical porosity using 3D printing. These scintillators will be composed of cerium-doped yttrium silicates, renowned for their high light yield and fast response times. The goal is to fabricate porous, translucent inorganic monoliths that allow optimal interaction between the scintillating material and radioactive particles. These monoliths combine meso- and macro-porosities, enhancing detection efficiency and enabling new metrological methods for radioactive gas detection. Three main research tasks are outlined: 1/The production of porous silica monoliths templates using innovative 3D printing techniques. 2/ The crystallization of these monoliths into cerium-doped silicates and the evaluation of their scintillation properties. 3/ Testing the material's ability to detect radioactive gases, with the ultimate aim of creating a new standard for such detection. By introducing advanced additive manufacturing and novel nanomaterial-based inks, this project holds potential for a wide range of applications, from nuclear power plants to radiopharmaceuticals and medical imaging. The PriSci projects represents a significant advancement in developing real-time detection of low-activity radioactive fluids and contributes greatly to safety and environmental monitoring.