This project aims to develop a range of products for 1) assessing levels of radioactivity in water which have previously been unachievable in real-time. 2) Measurement of Gaseous Tritium down to free release levels. This is of interest to various nuclear establishments, including the Nuclear Fusion industry.
We already have a lot of interest from Japan where they have a legacy from the Fukashima nuclear facility was in the form of Tritiated water. Current technology means that samples have to be taken from effluent -- rivers, lakes & sea , then analysed in a Laboratory.
BIC Technology with limited resources and working closely with the National Physical Laboratory have made prototypes capable of achieving detection of low levels of beta emitters in water continuously.
Because of the design and build of the detector we are able to use the same device (patented technology) for measuring air samples & liquid samples with minor modifications.
Assistance from Innovate UK will enable us to carry out further required tests for type testing & quantitative analysis. This could lead to the manufacturing of portable & installed equipment for this purpose and address an international market. We would get orders tomorrow if we had a working instrument at the required low levels.
Nuclear licensed sites would benefit from long term cost savings of the current technology employed by these sites and provide instant alerts for emergency situations e.g. leakage in to the sea or water table.
BIC Technology already have strong links with Academic institutions, which we would hope to expand on by funding post graduate projects. The project will have a positive effect on employment & apprenticeships with benefits to UK suppliers \*