Aerosol and Radiation Research Laboratory

Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology), Oshawa, Ontario
What the facility does

Investigates potential hazards from terrorist use of radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), and research potential hazards of airborne radioactive contaminants.

Areas of expertise

The Aerosol and Radiation Research Laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility committed to cutting edge research in threat assessment, dosimetry, emergency preparedness and response, nuclear security and environmental safety.

Employing leading-edge techniques and collaboration between experts in aerosol physics, radiation safety, atmospheric science, and nuclear engineering, the laboratory is at the forefront of its domain. The laboratory’s innovative research plays a pivotal role in enhancing overall public safety, national security, and environmental preservation.

The mission of the laboratory is multi-fold:

  • Provide expert analysis of liquid and powder aerosols with respect to particle size distribution and morphology.
  • Perform fundamental research and development in advanced radiation detection and imaging systems.
  • Perform expert Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation (using MCNP), as well as computational fluid dynamics modeling (using FLUENT).
  • Provide industry with turn-key scientific services ranging from aerosol particle sizing, radiation surveying and analysis, and modeling of complex systems.
  • Provide expert consultation in the areas of applied health physics, internal and external dosimetry, risk analysis, simulation and modeling of complex systems and industrial hygiene.
Research services
  • Expert consulting in health physics, radiation protection, emergency preparedness and response, nuclear security and environmental safety.
  • Physical dosimetry using optically simulated luminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance.
  • Aerosol measurements using a Malvern Spraytec particle sizer.
Sectors of application
  • Defence and security industries
  • Energy
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Utilities

Equipment

Function

Bruker EMXmicro X-band EPR spectrometer

For performing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry.

LANDAUER microSTAR® OSL reader

For performing physical dosimetry measurements using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL).

Malvern Spraytec laser diffraction system (particle sizer)

For performing aerosol particle size measurements using laser diffraction for particle sizes 0.5 – 100 micron.

Hans Rudolph Flow/Volume Simulator

For simulating human respiratory rhythms.

Retsch planetary ball mill

For grinding materials to sub-micron particle size.

Ultrasonic sifter

For binning (sifting) powders by particle size.