Non-Defense Nuclear Technologies
Developed for Weapons, Radiation Technology Spreads to Peaceful Uses
Nuclear radiation has great potential for destruction. But engineers and scientists have harnessed the power of atomic forces for a wide range of uses to help humanity.
Low-level radiation, called NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material), is found in soil, rocks, air, and foods such as meat and bananas. Man-made radiation can be found in many places, too--but that's not necessarily a bad thing, as long as strict safety precautions are kept.
Radiation from nuclear weapons is deadly, of course. But after creating the two atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan at the end of World War II, many of the U.S. scientists who had worked in secret cities developing these weapons turned their nuclear expertise to peaceful uses.
Of these, nuclear power plants are probably the most familiar. But engineers and scientists have developed an astounding array of other uses for nuclear technology-in medicine, industry, consumer products, agriculture and transportation.
The Many Uses of Radiation
Nuclear radiation consists of rays, or sub-atomic packets of fast-moving energy. Radiation is invisible and you can't feel it. But it is so powerful that it can penetrate far inside very dense materials, such as metals, liquids and the human body.
Radiation kills pathogens, parasites and tiny insects that contaminate food and sterile medical supplies. And, as it travels through an object and out the other side, special instruments can detect it, and "see" the structure or thickness of the material.
These qualities make nuclear radiation technology very useful for applications in:
Medicine
- Imaging the human body with X-rays, CT scans, mammograms, etc.;
- Sterilizing hospital equipment, clothing and bandages inside sealed packages;
- Calibrating medical instruments, such as X-ray machines;
- Treating cancer and thyroid disease with radiation and chemotherapy;
- Conducting studies of blood flow;
- Performing laboratory tests on human tissue and body fluids;
- Researching new drugs using animals;
- Advancing genetic, AIDS and other biomedical research;
Industry
- Measuring the flow of liquids in pipes, tanks and industrial processes;
- Pinpointing leaks and monitoring wear and corrosion of equipment;
- Logging underground wells to find oil and natural gas;
- Measuring soil and moisture density at construction sites;
- Ensuring the proper fill level for packages of food, drugs and other products.
- Controlling the thickness of paper, film, sheet metal and other products;
- Improving durability and abrasion resistance of wood and plastic composites;
- Inspecting metal parts and welds for defects, for example, in jet engine turbine blades;.
- Treating and sterilizing solid wastes;
- Calibrating nuclear radiation detectors;
- Conducting security checks of airline luggage;
- Sanitizing the mail;
Consumer Products
- Manufacturing smoke detectors, which contain a tiny source of radioactivity;
- Manufacturing illuminated dials for watches and clocks;
- Creating colorful ceramics and glassware using naturally radioactive dyes;
- Manufacturing mantles for gas lanterns, with a radioactive element that gives off light as the gas burns;
- Treating CDs and non-stick pans;
- Sterilizing cosmetics, baby powder and contact lens solutions;
- Eliminating static and paper jams in photocopiers;
Agriculture and Food Processing
- “Cold pasteurizing” food, spices and seasonings by passing them through a beam of radiation that kills insects and bacteria, such as salmonella;
- Lengthening shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables by slowing down their natural ripening and sprouting processes;
- Testing the thickness of eggshells;
- Manufacturing fertilizers that contain naturally radioactive potassium, as well as phosphorus made from uranium-containing ores;
- Growing or manufacturing potassium-containing foods, such as low-sodium salt substitutes;
- Developing improved varieties of crops, through research that uses radiation;
- Sterilizing insects in order to prevent infestation of fields;
- Monitoring soil moisture, to make better use of water resources while growing crops;
Transportation
- Powering Navy submarines, which can cruise for years without refueling;
- Powering spacecraft, such as Voyager 1 and 2 and the New Horizons spacecraft, which must operate unattended for many years.
All of these technologies, and more, are made possible through the intimate knowledge of how atomic forces hold atoms together--a knowledge once exploited to create the most destructive weapons ever conceived.
For More Information
To find out more about different radioactive isotopes and agricultural radiation, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information about industrial radiation gauges, visit the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization. For the safe use of radiation in consumer products, visit the Health Physics Society.
