3D Printing Accelerates Development of Radiation Detectors

Researchers from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have turned to 3D printing to create pixelated plastic scintillator arrays, aiming to reduce the time and cost associated with fabricating these radiation-sensing components. This project, funded by the Department of Energy's NNSA DNN R&D program, was led by AFIT doctoral student Chandler Moore, who developed a specialized 3D printer capable of producing these arrays.

The 3D-printed arrays are designed to detect neutrons and gamma rays, distinguishing between the two. These forms of ionizing radiation are critical for national security applications. Radiation detectors translate invisible ionizing radiation into detectable optical and electrical signals, with scintillators emitting light when exposed to such radiation.

Traditional methods for producing scintillators are often slow and limited in their ability to create complex shapes, such as the pixelated arrays beneficial for certain imaging tasks. Additive manufacturing removes these constraints, allowing for rapid and customizable production of plastic scintillators in a wide range of geometries. This 3D printing approach has demonstrated significant improvements in cost, labor, and the resolution of the final detector.

As part of the research, Moore collaborated with ORNL to develop a new scintillator resin suitable for high-resolution 3D printing. This work has resulted in peer-reviewed publications and contributed to broader efforts in developing printable scintillator materials. The project's outcomes directly enhance radiation detection capabilities relevant to the Air Force, including applications in emergency response, treaty monitoring, and atmospheric radiation monitoring.