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Development of Radiation Source for Testing Equipment
The Korean research team has developed and plan to distribute a radiation source which is the main part of testing equipment that allows the examination of industrial materials for cracks and irregularities in the interior and in the welded areas of the material without breaking it open.
Hyun-Soo Han, a Ph.D. from the Korea Nuclear Research Center, developed this radiation source, "iridium-192," with the support from the Science-Technology branch of the Korea Nuclear Research Center as a mid to long-term business. This radiation source has been authorized by the Korean government in April of last year, and it will be marketed this coming week.
The radiation source is the source from which the radiation emits, and it has been frequently used in examining industrial materials in determining their safety aspects.
The soon to be sold iridium-192 radiation source is manufactured by having a metal plate of natural iridium go through emission of neutrons for a specified time at Hanaro Nuclear facility, then this plate goes through a process of double sealing and welding to became the final product.
Doctor Han explained that each source has been through a thorough testing procedure for surface contamination of the capsule, radiation leakage, and other tests. He also added that this source has withstood over 50,000 endurance tests.
This radiation source is in a cylinder form having a diameter of 2.5mm and a height of 2.5mm. Because it is smaller than any other prior radiation sources, it has been highly praised for giving a clearer definition compared to other radiation photographs.
The manufacturing and the distribution will be handled by Hojin Indust-rial Technology Laboratory, which has been a co-researching laboratory, and obtained the license of the technology.
The expected demand for the radiation source in Korea will be from 1200 to 1500 per year. Doctor Han is very positive about its market potential as the radiation source will sell at about 30% cheaper than the imported radiation sources which are sold around US$ 950 per piece. The most important thing, according to Dr. Han, is to have independently developed the main part of such testing equipment raising Korea's technology level one step higher.
The Korea Nuclear Research Center has obtained ISO 9002 authorization certificate from Korea and the U.S. for its "Method for manufacturing sealed radiation source" comprising this radiation source iridium-192 for the testing equipment in December of last year. Also, it has obtained a patent for this source in 1999.
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