Recycled PET detects radiation at low cost

Japan – A Japanese researcher has devised an inexpensive radiation detector made from recycled PET bottles. The device could meet growing demand following the earthquake and tsunami in March, which triggered the world’s worst nuclear accident for 25 years.

Hidehito Nakamura, an assistant professor at Kyoto University, worked to create the low-cost detector in cooperation with Teijin, a major Japanese chemicals group involved in aramids, polyester, carbon fibre, plastics and films. His new product is claimed to be 90% cheaper than existing detectors, mainly supplied by foreign firms.

Mr Nakamura developed Scintirex, a plastic resin that emits a fluorescent glow when exposed to radiation. The material can be incorporated as a sensor in personal radiation detection equipment, currently much in demand, or larger survey meters for commercial or official use.

Teijin said sensors could become available to high-priority government organisations and commercial users by September at a cost of around Yen 10,000 (US $130), one-tenth of the cost of systems that are now on the market.

Scintirex is said to match the strength, flexibility and cost of virgin PET resin. It has similar radiation sensitivity to the “plastic scintillator” material supplied by French firm Saint-Gobain, which has dominated the radiation sensor market in Japan until now.