The invention relates to an alpha radiation detector (1) for measuring the radon concentration in the ambient air, comprising a housing (10) having a base (5) on which a hood (2) is arranged, which hood has a chamber (9) which is located therein, wherein the opaque housing (10) is designed in such a way that ambient air can penetrate into the chamber (9) from the outside, the alpha radiation detector further comprising an optical sensor (4). According to the invention, the hood (2) has an inner wall which is provided at least in part with a scintillation material (3) which generates light pulses (8) upon impingement of alpha particles (7), which light pulses are sensed by the optical sensor (4).

Embodiments of the invention can sample particulates, aerosols, vapors, and/or biological components of ambient air utilizing spherical air-sampling filters. Components of the embodiments may include a storage magazine for holding a plurality of spherical air-sampling filters, an air-sampling manifold configured to deliver an air-sampling filter from the storage magazine to a sampling location, and an air compressor to perform an air sampling operation and to transport a used air-sampling filter away from the sampling location. Operation of some embodiments may begin by rotating a slotted drum within the air-sampling manifold to deliver an air-sampling filter from the storage magazine to the sampling position. Operation may continue by using the air compressor to draw air from an ambient environment through the air-sampling filter. After sampling is complete, the air compressor may be utilized to pneumatically transport the used air-sampling filter away from the sampling position to a filter retrieval location via a transport tube. These operations can be pre-programmed locally or triggered by remote communication. Operation may continue uninterrupted due to a plurality of unused air-sampling filters retained in the storage manifold. Because operations can be triggered remotely and air samples are autonomously transported off site, embodiments of this invention eliminate unnecessary risks to human health created by other air-sampling devices, which require an operator to be present at a potentially hazardous sampling site to activate the device or retrieve air samples. Embodiments of the invention can be installed pre-emptively to eliminate risks to human health created when an operator must deliver a portable air-sampling device to a potentially contaminated sampling site. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention allow rapid retrieval of air samples following sample collection, which can expedite analysis and identification of aerosols and consequently help minimize human exposure to potentially dangerous and life-threatening chemical and biological contaminants.

A method of selectively catalytically oxidizing dinitrogen oxide present in a gaseous sample, comprising: heating a NiO catalyst to a temperature of at least 250° C.; and bringing the gaseous sample into contact with the heated NiO catalyst to oxidize dinitrogen oxide of the gaseous sample in the presence of the heated NiO catalyst.

A method for the radiological characterisation of the radiation listing of mercury, comprising the Steps: a. preparing a predefined quantity of mercury, b. evaporating at least one fraction of the prepared mercury, and c. the radioactive γ-radiation emitted by the gaseous mercury.

A sensor system is disclosed that includes a plurality of sensors, a deployment system for deploying the sensors, a control and charging system for receiving sensor data and optionally charging the batteries within the sensors, and one or more algorithms employed by the sensor system for processing, analyzing, and otherwise using data received by the plurality of sensors.

A mobile device for measuring radon in groundwater is proposed. The mobile device for measuring radon in groundwater has an effect in that the mobile device enables a user to achieve the same level of reliability as the conventional technology, a previously applied separate dehumidifying device is not required in measuring the radon concentration in groundwater, and while moving from site to site, the user is able to quickly measure the radon concentration in groundwater by the mobile device with a simple configuration and low cost.

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 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 mobile device for measuring radon in groundwater is proposed. The mobile device for measuring radon in groundwater has an effect in that the mobile device enables a user to achieve the same level of reliability as the conventional technology, a previously applied separate dehumidifying device is not required in measuring the radon concentration in groundwater, and while moving from site to site, the user is able to quickly measure the radon concentration in groundwater by the mobile device with a simple configuration and low cost.