REAL-TIME GAMMA DETECTION | NDE & DIAGNOSTICS


Far left: Space-based x-ray observation technology has been adapted to serve the civil nuclear industry with gamma detection


Left: Seracam®


Gamma-


Optical Video Imaging camera is less than 15cm in diameter


● A software application with an intuitive graphical user interface.


● Stabilised performance over prolonged operating periods even at elevated ambient temperatures.


These refinements resulted in the Seracam® mobile gamma-optical imaging solution. Now in clinical beta testing, final prototypes have been deployed in real- world settings with over 150 patients imaged so far. The integration of high-resolution gamma imaging with real- time visual overlays is also showing its potential in image- guided surgery within the operating room. Serac Imaging Systems is now preparing to submit


regulatory applications, paving the way for commercial entry to the global medical market.


Industrial applications While Serac Imaging Systems focused on medical applications, Dr Sarah Bugby, a member of the original academic research team, began to consider opportunities for the technology in the nuclear industry. Fusing live gamma and optical video images could empower operators with real-time visual localisation of radioactive sources, enabling immediate feedback at the point of use to make tasks easier, quicker and more effective. Dr Bugby subsequently launched an academic initiative


at Loughborough University to demonstrate the power of Gamma-Optical Video Imaging (GOVI) as a next-generation tool for nuclear decommissioning. Supported by Sellafield Ltd.’s “Game Changers”


programme, Dr Bugby’s project explored the potential for the camera for post-operational clean out of legacy glove boxes at Sellafield. Overlaying radiation maps onto live video feeds opened new possibilities for safer, more efficient and more thorough clean-up operations. “It’s a small device, you can hold it in your hand and


scan across an area and it will show you exactly where the radiation is, what shape it is, how many counts you’re getting. The feedback you get is in real time, with the overlaid optical and gamma video you can track sources as you move them. Or choose an area to clean and watch as the counts decrease until the cleaning is no longer making a difference, giving you a clear endpoint,” said Dr Bugby, commenting on the device. Following successful proof-of-concept testing, attention shifted toward full-scale commercial deployment and


the transition from prototype to market-ready product that would align with operational needs and integrate seamlessly into workflows. The rigorous standards set for medical devices result in a design that naturally lends itself to nuclear decommissioning applications. Key features that


translate across the industries include: ● Easily cleaned surfaces, ensuring hygiene and usability in sensitive areas.


● A fully sealed system preventing ingress of contamination.


● Omission of active cooling fans, so that airborne contaminants are not disturbed.


● Stand-alone operation with built-in cybersecurity measures.


● Compliance with stringent electrical and mechanical safety regulations.


● Meeting electromagnetic and electrostatic emissions and vulnerability requirements.


● Small form factor (15cm / 6 inch diameter) with intuitive plug-and-play operation.


With its high precision imaging capability and live video display, Seracam®


is now ready to be deployed across


industrial nuclear applications in multiple configurations designed to extend the value of gamma-optical video


imaging. These include: ● Integration with robotic arms to distance the user from the radioactive environment.


● Remotely operated vehicle and drone-mounted imaging for access to hazardous areas.


● Battery-powered models for enhanced field portability. ● Underwater configurations for submerged radioactive source localisation.


● Machine learning algorithms for automated image feature recognition and enhanced data insights.


From deep space exploration to medical advancements and industrial solutions, by adapting advanced technology from the space-based X-ray observatories, a compact, high- resolution hand-held camera that fuses gamma detection with real-time optical video imaging for precise spatial localisation of gamma sources has emerged. Harnessing surgical precision for industrial use is now enabling operators to ‘see radiation’ in real time at the point of use to pinpoint radioactive sources and increase safety and efficiency. ■


www.neimagazine.com | April 2025 | 29


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