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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
Kyuhak Oh, Mark A. Prelas, Jason B. Rothenberger, Eric D. Lukosi, Jeho Jeong, Daniel E. Montenegro, Robert J. Schott, Charles L. Weaver, Denis A. Wisniewski
Nuclear Technology | Volume 179 | Number 2 | August 2012 | Pages 234-242
Technical Paper | Radioisotopes | doi.org/10.13182/NT12-A14095
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Monte Carlo simulations have been used for calculating the energy deposition of beta particles in the depletion region of a silicon carbide (SiC) betavoltaic cell along with the corresponding theoretical efficiencies. Three Monte Carlo codes were used in the study: GEANT4, PENELOPE, and MCNPX. These codes were used to examine the transportation of beta particles from 90Y, 90Sr, and 35S. Both the average beta energy from each source and the entire spectrum were modeled for calculating maximum theoretical energy deposition in both a spherical and slab geometry. A simulated depletion region was added in postprocessing containing the maximum energy deposited per micrometer. The calculated maximum efficiencies with the slab configuration model are approximately 1.95%, 0.30%, and 0.025% using monoenergetic average energy and 1.54%, 0.25%, and 0.019% using an energy spectrum for 35S, 90Sr, and 90Y, respectively. These efficiencies when using the spherical configuration model are 2.02%, 0.31%, and 0.023% using the monoenergetic average energy and 1.10%, 0.17%, and 0.013% using an energy spectrum for 35S, 90Sr, and 90Y, respectively.