#Radiation in Japan: Toshiba to Sell Camera That Visualizes Hot Spot

Now that France's AREVA is in dire financial trouble, Toshiba may have one less competition in selling nuke plants all over the world. And when a nuke plant goes bust, like Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant did in a spectacular fashion, why it makes more money by first selling cesium towers (SARRY) which have so far delivered OK performance but not that great, then selling a desalination system (evaporative condensation apparatus) that keeps leaking water.

Now, Toshiba is set to make money in the "decon bubble" in wider communities outside the nuke plant by introducing a camera that can visualize radiation levels in different colors. According to the Asahi article below, it has been tested in the harshest environment - Fuku-I compound.

From Asahi Shinbun (12/14/2011):

東芝は１３日、放射線量を色の違いで映し出すカメラを開発したと発表した。局地的に放射線量が高い「ホットスポット」を見つけるのに役立ち、除染作業の効率がよくなるという。このカメラを使った計測サービスを来年から環境省や自治体などに売り込む予定だ。

Toshiba announced on December 13 that it has developed a camera that can show different radiation levels in different colors. The company says the camera will help identify so-called "hot spots" with localized high radiation and improve the effectiveness of decontamination work. The company plans to market the survey service using the camera to the Ministry of the Environment and local municipalities, starting next year.

　カメラ内部に放射線を測定するセンサーと、映像を取り込むセンサーを取りつけた。センサーからの２種類の信号をあわせ、パソコンなどの画面に映し出すことで放射線が見えるようにした。放射線量が高い場所は赤く表示されるので、従来の放射線量を数値で示す測定器よりもホットスポットが発見しやすいという。

The camera contains a sensor that measures radiation and a sensor that captures graphic images. By combining two signals from the two sensors and sending the signals to the computer screen, the system allows users to visualize radiation. The locations with high radiation levels will be displayed in red, making it easier to identify "hot spots" than the traditional display of radiation in digits.

　東京電力福島第一原発の建屋内でも、ほぼ同じ機能を持つ東芝製のカメラが使われた。感度を高めたうえで、大きさと重さをほぼ半分にして自治体などでも使いやすくした。年内に福島市と共同で実証実験をして実用化する。自治体などから希望があれば、カメラそのものの販売も検討する。

The Toshiba-made camera with almost identical capabilities has been used inside the buildings at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. The company has improved that camera by raising the sensitivity and reducing the size and weight by half, making it easier for local municipalities to use. Toshiba will conduct a joint experiment with Fukushima City before the year end, and commercialize the camera. If there's a demand from municipalities, the company will consider the sales of the camera itself.

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