Improved monitoring of Nuclear Fuel
Advanced Research: University of South Carolina, Benedict College, and the Savannah River National Laboratory
Machine Learning Assisted CdZnTeSe Semiconductor Nuclear Detectors for Real-Time Monitoring Spent Nuclear Fuel in Storage Casks
Over 90,000 metric tons of nuclear waste are stored at various US facilities, primarily concentrated in four locations, including Savannah River Site (SRS), South Carolina. These materials are safely contained in sealed storage casks shielded by steel and concrete. Given the substantial quantity of radioactive material and their decades-long storage, it is vital to ensure their continued containment within these casks to prevent any potential leakage that could contaminate SC soil, water, and air, leading to public exposure and risking the ecosystem.
Currently, the structural integrity of storge casks is monitored passively by assessing internal conditions such as temperature, pressure, corrosion, and radioactivity. We propose to develop a low-cost, high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometer using an advanced semiconductor, Cd0.9Zn0.1Te0.98Se0.02 (CZTS). This system can detect subtle changes in intensity and spatial distribution of gamma radiation emitted from the nuclear waste, providing a non-invasive method for monitoring the storage casks’ integrity. The detector will be integrated with a wireless transmitter for signal processing at a base station. The spectrometer will be trained with artificial intelligence (AI) to perform precise, real-time identification and quantification of radionuclides.
The SC’s Science and Technology Plan: Vision 2030 has recognized “Advanced Materials – Semiconductors” as a high-priority field. This research offers valuable training opportunity for students pursuing careers in the semiconductor industry. The proposed detector has widespread applications in NASA’s space & planetary program, nuclear power plants, healthcare, and homeland security. Thus, this pilot research will enable us to formulate large extramural proposals for multiple agencies, including NASA, DOE, NSF, DOD, and NIH.
