CMAD/LSU 

Description: Having gained a fundamental understanding of Nanotechnology [see PEP 3-C entitled Nanotechnology: What It Is and Why It Might Be Important], the student will now be encouraged to understand how radiation protection and nanotechnology may be interconnected. Since nanotechnology is now part of mainstream science, and since it represents a paradigm shift in many aspects of science, technology and safety, future educational goals of Health Physics Professionals as well as future academic curricula for HP students should include the study and understanding of transport phenomena, dosimetry, and implementation of suitable practices for the safe handling of radioactive nano particles. 

As the radiation protection professional, it will also fall to the Health Physicist to assist in helping to formulate new standards of radiation protection practices to deal with this technology. Whether you work in fields as fundamentally different as accelerators or decommissioning, you will be exposed to this new technology and its interactions within the profession of health physics. From joint radiation and nanoparticulates cancer therapy to military and homeland security applications, you will see and maybe even use nanotechnology. This PEP will examine such interactions as nanotechnology-based radiation detectors, regulatory issues, risk assessment strategies, decommissioning, military, medical health physics and accelerator related interactions of Nanotechnology for the radiation protection professional.