Nov 26 2007
For the technology transfer of an electronic personal dosimeter for measuring neutron radiation, a research team of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) (National Metrology Institute of Germany) in Braunschweig was awarded the Technology Transfer Prize of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry [CCI].
The three scientists participating in the project, Dr. Marlies Luszik-Bhadra, Wilfried Wendt and Mathias Weierganz received the prize endowed with € 10 000 on 23. November at the CCI. The personal dosimeter was developed – based on a technology patented by the PTB – together with the Synodys group (an association of worldwide leading producers of radiation protection instruments).
Neutron radiation, which occurs in addition to photon (gamma) radiation in nuclear power plants, can be harmful to the human body. Whereas direct-readout personal dosimeters for photon radiation have already been in use for many years, at the beginning of the development in the PTB there was no adequate direct-readout personal dosimeter for neutron radiation. The problem: Neutrons are scattered in thick shields and their energy is braked, and the measurement of the radiation is exceedingly difficult due to the large energy range of the neutrons.
“The PTB is currently leading in radiation research worldwide,” point out the three scientists with pleasure. They make reference not only to a decade of know-how, but also to the corresponding testing facilities of the PTB. Private businesses could not keep up here. Investments would scarcely pay off as it concerns a relatively small corner on the market. Also in nuclear power plants, the employees occupationally exposed to radiation would, as a rule, only wear personal dosimeters for measuring photon radiation. Only when neutron radiation contributes more than 20 percent to the dose would neutron dosimeters also be employed and, as areas with high neutron radiation are not accessible as a rule, this means only a few workplaces. Up to now, neutron dosimetry has been carried out in these areas only with passive dosimeters which are evaluated once a month.
The electronic personal dosimeter developed for neutron and photon radiation is the smallest worldwide and has a direct readout as well as an alarm function. The dosimeter can be used in nuclear power plants, fuel reprocessing plants and for the handling of castor containers as well as in accelerator facilities in the medical field for cancer therapy and in material research where neutron sources are used for non-destructive material testing. Also in the aerospace industry, particularly for flights at great altitudes, neutrons are an issue because they contribute approximately 50 percent of the radiation dose.
By the end of 2006, approx. 1000 devices of the novel dosimeters were sold, most of them to customers in the USA. Dr. Luszik-Bhadra quantified the market potential at 10 000 devices.
Special Prize: “City of Science“
The Technology Transfer Prize was conferred for the 23rd time this year. “A total of 59 award winners with 30 transfer objects and a total in prizes of more than € 190 000 has been awarded,” pointed out CCI President Dr. Wolf-Michael Schmid and Professor Werner Gramm, jury chairman, with pleasure. The CCI had seized the occasion of the “City of Science” year to award a Special Prize endowed with € 5000, according to Dr. Schmid.
The CCI Special Prize was awarded to the Braunschweig researcher Professor Peter F. Mühlradt, a longtime employee of the GBF, today the Helmholtz Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (HZI) (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research), for his lifework. Mühlradt has dedicated about 20 years of his research to a single molecule, the so-called MALP-2. It is regarded as a new, biologically highly effective substance which now already has been proven to be applicable for wound healing, for accelerating successful vaccinations and also as possible medication for pancreatic cancer.
When Mühlradt came to Braunschweig in 1975, he introduced - as head of the ”Immunobiology“ Division - the initial work with cell cultures. There had never before been experimental animal research done in Braunschweig.
After his retirement in 2002, Mühlradt - as the first lessee in the HZI business incubator - went into business for himself and is now working on the application of MALP-2 as a pharmaceutical product.