Radiation worries? There's an app for that!

May 31, 2012
The concern of radiation exposure in the aftermath of the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear facility troubles last year in Japan has prompted one Japanese cell phone carrier to add radiation dosimeter measuring capabilities to its cell phones. Softbank Corp. ...

The concern of radiation exposure in the aftermath of the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear facility troubles last year in Japan has prompted one Japanese cell phone carrier to add radiation dosimeter measuring capabilities to its cell phones.

Softbank Corp. says the new Pantone 5 smart phone by Sharp Corp., to go on sale in July, includes a radiation detector that measures the amount of gamma ray radiation in a given area. The phone reports the total microSieverts-per-hour (µSv/hr) exposure rate after a two-minute sample period. The reporting level ranges from 0.05 µSv/hr to 9.99 µSv/hr.

It's generally agreed that levels below 1 milliSievert-per-year (mSv/yr) are relatively safe. Studies show any radiation-related cancers or diseases are statistically nondetectable at levels below 100 mSv/yr, meaning people exposed to those levels have no more likelihood of developing the disease than a person that wasn't exposed. But the risk does climb as levels increase. The value of 10 mSv/yr translates to an exposure rate of approximately 1.14 µSv/hr.

Sponsored Recommendations

Sept. 16, 2025
From robotic arms to high-speed conveyors, accuracy matters. Discover how encoders transform motor control by turning motion into real-time datadelivering tighter speed control...
Sept. 16, 2025
Keep high-torque gearboxes running efficiently with external lubrication and cooling systems delivered fast. Flexible configurations, sensor-ready monitoring, and stocked options...
Sept. 16, 2025
Now assembled in the U.S., compact P2.e planetary gear units combine maximum torque, thermal efficiency, and flexible configurations for heavy-duty applicationsavailable faster...
Aug. 22, 2025
Discover how to meet growing customer demands for custom products without overextending your engineering team. Learn how scaling your automation strategy can help you win more...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!