Electret Microphone Dosimetry Irradiated by X-Rays

• Grant number: 24/13531-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics
• Principal Investigator: Oswaldo Baffa Filho
• Grantee: Frederico Possato Tagliaferro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

A dosimeter is a device used to measure the dose of ionizing radiation received by a person or an object. These instruments are essential for monitoring radiation exposure in environments where it is used, such as hospitals, nuclear power plants, research laboratories, and industries that employ radiation technologies. In emergency situations, common materials can be used as improvised dosimeters to measure the received radiation dose. Devices such as security cameras, smartphones, and even ceramic tiles have components sensitive to radiation, which can record exposure levels. These methods, although not a substitute for professional dosimeters, can provide valuable information to assess the need for evacuation or immediate medical treatments in scenarios where specialized devices are not available. An electret-based dosimeter using electret microphones has the potential to offer precise and sensitive radiation measurement, leveraging the electrostatic properties of electrets. Utilizing the technology of these microphones, known for their high sensitivity and ability to detect small charge variations, these dosimeters can provide reliable readings of absorbed radiation doses. Thus, this project discusses and presents the idea of studying the behavior of electret microphones for future implementation in emergency dosimetry scenarios.