Welcome to the RadonSTAR Project!
Assisted by my fellow team members at Niton srl, I began the RadonSTAR Project in early 2020, but the idea dates back to 2018. Since then, through close collaboration with radon professionals, it has become clear that there is a significant demand for radon measuring instrument calibration services in Italy and throughout Europe.
I studied various solutions for nearly a year to develop an efficient and economical approach to fulfill this need. The outcome was an innovative method called HYBRID MODE, which enhances the conventional mode of operation used by radon calibration facilities. With this new mode of operation, it is easier to control and adjust the variation of activity concentration of radon inside the calibration chamber. I also designed an innovative technique to exhaust radon gas more quickly and securely.
By the beginning of 2021, my priority became building a radon calibration laboratory that utilizes these new techniques. By mid-2021, I personally developed the control system using a simple Arduino board and confirmed the feasibility of the idea. Afterward, I designed a personalized PCB and soldered a microcontroller and other electronic parts to build the control system. I pre-programmed the control system in C language to automate several calibration test types, which allows for automation and consistency in the calibration processes. However, the programs can be modified and changed as needed using a USB output at any time.
After two years of hard work, the RadonSTAR brand was ready to support radon professionals by July 2022, and we were proud to say that a star is born.
The RadonSTAR calibration laboratory is designed to comply with the requirements of the IEC 61577-4:2009 – Part 4: Equipment for the production of reference atmospheres containing radon isotopes and their decay products. IEC 61577-4:2009 concerns the System for Test Atmospheres with Radon (STAR), and the name RadonSTAR is derived from this acronym.
The simplicity and full automation of the RadonSTAR system make the calibration process more cost-effective. I am proud of the outcome of this project and look forward to improving and expanding it even further.
I used a variety of tools and software, as well as consulted various materials, to create the RadonSTAR Project. If you have any questions or would like to know more about my approach, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I welcome any feedback or comments you may have about the project.
Updated on: 09.04.2023