Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Radiation Biology: Basics and Applications

In course

PHYS-450: Radiation biology, protection and applications

This is an introductory course in radiation physics that aims at providing students with a foundation in radiation protection and with information about the main applications of radioactive sources/substances in the industry. The course includes presentati ...

Description

This lecture introduces the basic concepts of radiation detection, energy deposition by ionizing radiation, radioisotope production, and its applications in medicine, industry, and research. The course covers topics such as physics, radiation effects on the body, protection, hospital applications, radiation sources, shielding, industrial applications, food irradiation, radiotherapy, and more.

Instructors (2)

Pavel Frajtag

Oskari Ville Pakari

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Health sciences

Radiology: Topics in radiology

Related concepts (32)

Radiation protection

Radiation protection, also known as radiological protection, is defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as "The protection of people from harmful effects of exposure to ionizing radiation, and the means for achieving this". Exposure can be from a source of radiation external to the human body or due to internal irradiation caused by the ingestion of radioactive contamination. Ionizing radiation is widely used in industry and medicine, and can present a significant health hazard by causing microscopic damage to living tissue.

Ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation (or ionising radiation), including nuclear radiation, consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that have sufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules by detaching electrons from them. Some particles can travel up to 99% of the speed of light, and the electromagnetic waves are on the high-energy portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Gamma rays, X-rays, and the higher energy ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum are ionizing radiation, whereas the lower energy ultraviolet, visible light, nearly all types of laser light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves are non-ionizing radiation.

Radioisotope thermoelectric generator

A radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG, RITEG), sometimes referred to as a radioisotope power system (RPS), is a type of nuclear battery that uses an array of thermocouples to convert the heat released by the decay of a suitable radioactive material into electricity by the Seebeck effect. This type of generator has no moving parts. Because they don't need solar energy, RTGs are ideal for remote and harsh environments for extended periods of time, and because they have no moving parts, there is no risk of parts wearing out or malfunctioning.

Radiobiology

Radiobiology (also known as radiation biology, and uncommonly as actinobiology) is a field of clinical and basic medical sciences that involves the study of the action of ionizing radiation on living things, especially health effects of radiation. Ionizing radiation is generally harmful and potentially lethal to living things but can have health benefits in radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer and thyrotoxicosis. Its most common impact is the induction of cancer with a latent period of years or decades after exposure.

Radioactive tracer

A radioactive tracer, radiotracer, or radioactive label is a chemical compound in which one or more atoms have been replaced by a radionuclide so by virtue of its radioactive decay it can be used to explore the mechanism of chemical reactions by tracing the path that the radioisotope follows from reactants to products. Radiolabeling or radiotracing is thus the radioactive form of isotopic labeling. In biological contexts, use of radioisotope tracers are sometimes called radioisotope feeding experiments.

Related lectures (53)

Food Irradiation & Radioisotope Batteries

Explores food irradiation and radioisotope batteries, discussing their applications, advantages, and regulatory aspects in industrial settings.

Introduction to Radiation Biology, Protection and Applications

Introduces radiation detection, energy deposition, radioisotope production, and their applications in various fields.

Nuclear Reactions: Synthesis and Applications

Explores artificial nuclear reactions, their applications in various fields, and the effects of radiation on health.

Radiation Sources: Overview

Explores radiation sources, including fast electrons, heavy charged particles, and neutrons, discussing their applications and characteristics.

Radiation Biophysics: Fundamentals and Applications