Japan's $70 tech turns smartphones into nuclear radiation detectors

Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed an affordable, portable radiation dosimetry system that transforms a smartphone into an on-site radiation detector, enabling immediate dose assessments after nuclear or radiological incidents. The system integrates a small piece of Gafchromic EBT4 radiochromic film—which changes color upon radiation exposure—with a foldable, battery-powered scanner and a smartphone camera. Users scan the film and analyze the color change via mobile image-processing apps, allowing measurement of radiation doses up to 10 Gray. While not as precise as professional desktop scanners, this setup balances accuracy with accessibility and costs under $70, making it suitable for rapid, individual dose assessments in mass-casualty or disaster scenarios where traditional lab methods are impractical. This innovation aligns with Japan’s evolving energy strategy, as the country cautiously re-embraces nuclear power to meet rising energy demands and climate goals. Japan aims to increase nuclear energy’s share of electricity from about 9% in 2024 to roughly 20%