66845 - Radiation Chemistry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires the basic principles to understand the chemical effects induced in matter by the absorption of ionizing (high energy) radiations. He is also capable of analyzing in a critical way the potential of the technologies that utilize such kind of radiations in several applicative fields (industry, medicine, food, biotechnologies, environment, and cultural heritage).

Course contents

Prerequisites: basic knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry, physical chemistry and photochemistry

Attendance: the course has no compulsory attendance

Course contents: the course is divided in two parts; the first one concerns the general principles of the radiation-matter interaction and illustrates the most important results obtained in the field of basic research, while the second part is dedicated to the applicative aspects. The addressed topics can be summarized as follows.

 

1. The types (electromagnetic waves and particles) of high energy radiations

1.1. Peculiar features of the interaction of the high energy radiations with matter pointing out the main differences between radiation chemistry and photochemistry, the other discipline concerning the interaction of radiation with matter

 

2. High energy sources

2.1. Radioactive-based sources

2.2. Accelerator machines (particularly electron accelerators) capable of providing high intense radiation pulses and related time-resolved detection systems necessary to carry out kinetic studies

 

3. Water and aqueous solution radiolysis

3.1. Use of scavengers to select reducing or oxidizing conditions

3.2. Case studies performed in the field of inorganic and organic chemistry

3.3. Enzyme and DNA case studies

 

4. Radiolysis in solvents different from water (brief mention)

 

5. Radiolysis in the solid phase and comparison with the liquid state pointing out the main differences

 

6. Radiolysis in the gas phase and comparison with the liquid state pointing out the main differences

 

7. Dosimetry and dosimeters

7.1. Dose and dose-rate

7.2. Examples of primary dosimeters

7.3. Examples of secondary dosimeters: chemical dosimeters

7.4. Examples of solid dosimeters

 

8. Applications of high energy radiations in medicine

8.1. The complexity of measuring the dose in the medical field

8.2. Medical diagnosis: X-ray (two- and three-dimensional) radiography; PET; nuclear imaging

8.3. Radiation therapy for tumors: gammatherapy, tomotherapy, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), and hadrontherapy

 

9. Applications of high energy radiations in the industrial field

9.1. Sterilization with particular focus on medical devices

9.2. Production, cross-linking, and degradation of polymers

9.3. Production of composites

9.4. Production of devices for electronics

9.5. Production of materials to be used in the biotechnological field

 

10. Environmental applications of high energy radiations

10.1.  Treatment of urban and agriculture waste; treatment of industrial water to reduce the pollutants

10.2.  Treatment of fuel gases to reduce pollutants

 

11. Applications of high energy radiations in cultural heritage

11.1.  Actions to establish the conservation state, authenticity verification, dating, and origin of artworks: X-ray radiography, X-ray fluorescence, PIXE analysis, neutron activation analysis

11.2.  Actions aimed at preserving artworks: disinfestation and reinforcement of wood, pottery, and bone artworks

 

12. Food treatment with high energy radiations

12.1.  Treatment aimed at extending the shelf life of vegetables, fruit, cereals, white and red meat, and fish

12.2.  Treatment aimed at reducing food-related health hazards

 

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes and handbooks will be handed in by the person in charge of the course.

Teaching methods

Radiation Chemistry is an optional course aimed at showing the potential of this relatively young discipline as far as basic research and applicative aspects are concerned. The course comprises lectures and one visit to the laboratories of the CNR-ISOF Institute in Bologna where gamma radiation sources are available and/or a visit to a company that uses high-energy radiations for industrial applications.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment takes the form of an oral exam of average duration of 30-40 minutes. The exam consists of three questions on the topics dealt with in the course. A presentation of one of the applications illustrated in the course and selected by the student is also requested.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, overhead, personal computer, projector, power-point presentations.

 

Office hours

See the website of Margherita Venturi