R.B. Hayes
North Carolina State University,
United States
Keywords: solid-state dosimetry, thermoluminescence (TL), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), radiation damage and recovery, biodosimetry, radiological forensics, health physics
Summary:
Emerging applications in radiological medicine, space exploration, and nuclear safety increasingly require biomaterials that can maintain structural and functional integrity under ionizing radiation. This presentation explores recent experimental advances at North Carolina State University in the identification and characterization of radiation-sensitive biomaterials for dosimetric, forensic, and protective functions. Using thermoluminescence (TL), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, common materials are evaluated for their capacity to record, quantify, and reconstruct ionizing radiation exposures in biological or environmental settings. Applications span from health physics instrumentation and nuclear emergency response to biomedical implant monitoring and space habitat materials, demonstrating how nuclear engineering methods can enhance the reliability and safety of biomaterials exposed to complex radiation fields.