This paper analyzes the decision-making process utilized in temperate environments for building nuclear facilities and whether it was going to be applicable to nuclear facilities built in arid environments. To answer this question, the total dose to individuals from arid and temperate environments were compared using RESRAD-OFFSITE and changing the...
Nuclear material monitoring systems have long been established at ports of entry. However, there are no standard systems for monitoring points of interest within the country. Therefore, the use of a network of radiation sensors deployed throughout an area of interest is being investigated within this thesis. Before full scale...
Blue light exposure has been on the rise over the past several years as artificial light in the form of light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been increasing. These LEDs emit predominantly blue light through TVs, computer monitors, smartphones, tablets etc. Previous research in our lab determined that blue light accelerated...
The environmental impact of the nuclear industry has prompted the need for innovative remediation strategies and accurate radiological assessments. This paper synthesizes three studies that collectively explore the potential of endemic plant species for phytoremediation, the development of anatomically accurate phantoms for precise dosimetry calculations, and the critical evaluation of...
The thyroid is an organ at risk during a radiological release involving a nuclear power plant due to the radioactive iodine released into the atmosphere. Potassium iodide tablets are commonly used to protect the thyroid during radioactive iodine exposure. Seventeen states currently provide potassium iodide to the public before an...
Recent advances in robotics have led to interest in exploring soft robotic technologies as an engineering control for reducing the risk of radiation exposure for workers in the nuclear industry. These emerging “soft” technologies offer many advantages over traditional rigid robotic systems and can perform a wide range of tasks...
Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women with an estimated 13% of women in the United States developing a form of invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. The survival rate is estimated to be 85%, but the American Cancer Society estimates that early detection of breast cancer in the...
The Ambrosia Lake West Site is a former uranium recovery facility located north of Grants, New Mexico. It currently serves as a uranium mill tailings site undergoing reclamation and decommissioning. High velocity winds are common in the area, causing soil erosion via aeolian processes. Strong winds may carry soil for...
Communication is an aspect of healthcare that affects healthcare providers and patients at each step of their medical journey. The purpose of this research is to identify the effects that language barriers cause between healthcare workers and patients and the patients’ families and how those effects are perceived by and...
The neutron flux-energy spectral characterization of a Thermo Fisher MP320 deuterium-tritium neutron generator was performed for two shielding configurations, one with substantial moderator between the source and the sample and one without such moderator. The STAYSL PNNL spectral adjustment code was utilized in conjunction with MCNP modelled reference spectra and...