Researchers Develop Radiation-Hardened Wi-Fi Receiver for Nuclear Reactor Robotics
Researchers from the Institute of Science Tokyo and Japan’s High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) have developed a Wi-Fi receiver capable of withstanding extreme radiation levels inside nuclear reactors. Presented at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference in San Francisco, the device endured 500 kilograys of radiation, a dose over 1,000 times higher than what space electronics typically tolerate. This innovation aims to replace tangled LAN cables currently used by robots in decommissioning efforts, such as those at Fukushima Daiichi. By minimizing transistor counts and altering their geometry to resist gamma ray damage, the team created a robust wireless communication system. This development is critical as hundreds of aging nuclear reactors globally approach decommissioning, a process that poses significant radiation risks to human workers. The new technology promises safer, more efficient robotic operations in these hazardous environments, addressing a growing need in the nuclear industry.
Wire timeline
Researchers Develop Radiation-Hardened Wi-Fi Receiver for Nuclear Reactor Robotics
Researchers from the Institute of Science Tokyo and Japan’s High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) have developed a Wi-Fi receiver capable of withstanding extreme radiation levels inside nuclear reactors. Presented at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference in San Francisco, the device endured 500 kilograys of radiation, a dose over 1,000 times higher than what space electronics typically tolerate. This innovation aims to replace tangled LAN cables currently used by robots in decommissioning efforts, such as those at Fukushima Daiichi. By minimizing transistor counts and altering their geometry to resist gamma ray damage, the team created a robust wireless communication system. This development is critical as hundreds of aging nuclear reactors globally approach decommissioning, a process that poses significant radiation risks to human workers. The new technology promises safer, more efficient robotic operations in these hazardous environments, addressing a growing need in the nuclear industry.
IEEE Spectrum