A wearable radon detector is an apparatus that measures radon exposure around a user. The apparatus includes a housing, an elongated plate, and a radon-detecting foil strip. The housing contains the elongated plate and the radon-detecting foil strip. The elongated plate positions and maneuvers the radon-detecting foil strip. The housing includes a receptacle portion, a storage portion, a first breakaway line, a plate-receiving slot, and a plurality of air passages. The elongated plate includes a grasping member, a setting member, and a second breakaway line. Radon collects within the receptacle portion through the plurality of air passages. The storage portion shields the radon-detecting foil strip once setting member has been slid from the receptacle portion and into the storage portion, the receptacle portion has been separated from storage portion along the first breakaway line, and the grasping member has been separated from the setting member along the second breakaway line.

What is described and claimed is a dosimeter for measuring a radiation dose of ionizing radiation comprising a measurement chamber and a light sensor, wherein the measurement chamber is filled with a fluorophore and is lightproof, such that no light from the surroundings can be incident in the measurement chamber, and wherein the light sensor is configured to detect fluorescent light generated by ionizing radiation in the fluorophore in the measurement chamber and to generate a signal that is proportional to the fluence of the detected fluorescent light. Furthermore, the use of such a dosimeter, and a spectrometer comprising a plurality of such dosimeters are presented and claimed.

A method of detecting radon may include starting a first timer at a radon detection device in response to a first triggering action. A seal of the radon detection device may transition to a seal position from an open position in response to the first timer being equal to a measurement interval. The open position may facilitate the introduction of ambient air to a vent of the radon detection device. The seal position may discourage introduction of the ambient air to the vent. The vent may be in fluid communication with a test material. The test material may collect radon from the ambient air introduced to the radon detection device. A second timer may be started in response to the seal transitioning from the open position to the seal position. The seal remains in the sealed position following the transition from the open position to the sealed position.

A method of detecting radon may include starting a first timer at a radon detection device in response to a first triggering action. A seal of the radon detection device may transition to a seal position from an open position in response to the first timer being equal to a measurement interval. The open position may facilitate the introduction of ambient air to a vent of the radon detection device. The seal position may discourage introduction of the ambient air to the vent. The vent may be in fluid communication with a test material. The test material may collect radon from the ambient air introduced to the radon detection device. A second timer may be started in response to the seal transitioning from the open position to the seal position. The seal remains in the sealed position following the transition from the open position to the sealed position.

A sensor comprising: a printed circuit board; a photosensor mounted on a first side of the printed circuit board; and a light source mounted on a second, opposite side; wherein the light source is arranged to transmit light through at least a portion of the printed circuit board, which is impermeable to air. Positioning of the light source on the opposite side of the printed circuit board from the photosensor means that the bulk of the printed circuit board lies between the light source and the photosensor, obstructing direct transmission of light from the light source to the photosensor. However, light can be transmitted through the printed circuit board itself without drilling a hole through the printed circuit board. In this way, the light source can be mounted on the opposite side of the printed circuit board from the photosensor while still transmitting light to the photosensor.

A sensor comprising: a printed circuit board; a photosensor mounted on a first side of the printed circuit board; and a light source mounted on a second, opposite side; wherein the light source is arranged to transmit light through at least a portion of the printed circuit board, which is impermeable to air. Positioning of the light source on the opposite side of the printed circuit board from the photosensor means that the bulk of the printed circuit board lies between the light source and the photosensor, obstructing direct transmission of light from the light source to the photosensor. However, light can be transmitted through the printed circuit board itself without drilling a hole through the printed circuit board. In this way, the light source can be mounted on the opposite side of the printed circuit board from the photosensor while still transmitting light to the photosensor.

A sensor, comprising: a printed circuit board; a detector mounted on the printed circuit board; an inner dome that is electrically conductive and is mounted on the printed circuit board so as to form a diffusion chamber around the detector; and an outer dome that is electrically conductive and surrounding the inner dome. The dual dome construction allows a stronger electric field to be generated inside the inner dome. The strength of the electric field is determined by the voltage of the detector, the voltage of the inner dome and the distance between them. The detector has a maximum voltage that can safely be applied to it without damaging the detector. With the dual dome design, the inner dome can be biased to a higher potential, thereby increasing the strength of the electric field inside the inner dome, while still shielding that high voltage via the outer dome.

A sensor, comprising: a printed circuit board; a detector mounted on the printed circuit board; an inner dome that is electrically conductive and is mounted on the printed circuit board so as to form a diffusion chamber around the detector; and an outer dome that is electrically conductive and surrounding the inner dome. The dual dome construction allows a stronger electric field to be generated inside the inner dome. The strength of the electric field is determined by the voltage of the detector, the voltage of the inner dome and the distance between them. The detector has a maximum voltage that can safely be applied to it without damaging the detector. With the dual dome design, the inner dome can be biased to a higher potential, thereby increasing the strength of the electric field inside the inner dome, while still shielding that high voltage via the outer dome.

A radon gas sensor comprising: a diffusion chamber; a photodiode positioned inside the diffusion chamber; and a photomultiplier positioned inside the diffusion chamber; wherein a scintillating material is provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the diffusion chamber. The photomultiplier detects more alpha particles, but cannot distinguish the energies of different alpha particles. On the other hand, the photodiode can distinguish different decays because the magnitude of the signal generated by the photodiode is proportional to the kinetic energy of the alpha particle striking it. Thus, the photodiode produces spectral data. The spectral data is used to estimate the amount of Polonium that is adhering to aerosols. This is used to apply a correction factor to the data to provide a better estimate of the true Radon concentration in the chamber. This can be combined with the count data of the photomultiplier for overall improved data.

A radon gas sensor comprising: a diffusion chamber; a photodiode positioned inside the diffusion chamber; and a photomultiplier positioned inside the diffusion chamber; wherein a scintillating material is provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the diffusion chamber. The photomultiplier detects more alpha particles, but cannot distinguish the energies of different alpha particles. On the other hand, the photodiode can distinguish different decays because the magnitude of the signal generated by the photodiode is proportional to the kinetic energy of the alpha particle striking it. Thus, the photodiode produces spectral data. The spectral data is used to estimate the amount of Polonium that is adhering to aerosols. This is used to apply a correction factor to the data to provide a better estimate of the true Radon concentration in the chamber. This can be combined with the count data of the photomultiplier for overall improved data.