For radiation workers, dose monitoring from exposure to X-ray radiation is critical, making wearable dosimeters invaluable to ensure safe practices. While there is little data on the global availability of personal dosimeters, many workers experience limited or non-existent access. Traditional dosimeters can be prohibitively expensive, and require complicated logistics around calibration, read-out, and reporting - all leading to radiation workers having restricted insight into their own exposure levels.
OpenDosimeter addresses these challenges with a low-cost, open-source, real-time dosimeter that is calibrated using Am-241 from a household ionization smoke detector. This eliminates the need to rely on external infrastructure for calibration and read-out. Lastly, the open design allows anyone to replicate and build their own personal dosimeter, empowering radiation workers to monitor their exposure more effectively with real-time feedback. The OpenDosimeter also acts as a reference design that invites people to make derivatives adapted to their needs.
In February 2023, two strangers met in Nairobi: Kian, an X-ray imaging researcher, and Norah, a local radiologist. While Kian sought Norah's perspectives on the limitations of radiography, Norah pointed to a more pressing need: affordable radiation monitoring for her team. The seed for OpenDosimeter was planted: a mission to create an accessible, real-time radiation monitoring solution for healthcare workers globally.
In February 2023, two strangers met in Nairobi: Kian, an X-ray imaging researcher, and Norah, a local radiologist. While Kian sought Norah's perspectives on the limitations of radiography, Norah pointed to a more pressing need: affordable radiation monitoring for her team. The seed for OpenDosimeter was planted: a mission to create an accessible, real-time radiation monitoring solution for healthcare workers globally.
These are the wonderful folks that have contributed to OpenDosimeter so far! Do you want to contribute to its future development? Head over to our GitHub repository or send us an e-mail: opendosimeter@gmail.com
Project lead
Hardware and software
Functionality and user design
Hardware and 3D design
Open-source documentation
Functionality and design feedback
Characterization and implementation
Functionality and characterization
Hardware and characterization
Hardware and software
Functionality and design
Testing and implementation
These are the partners collaborating on the OpenDosimeter so far.
Interested in partnering for implementation or scaling up? Send us an e-mail: opendosimeter@gmail.com
Radiological Sciences Laboratory
Stanford University
Computing and Engineering Sciences
Strathmore University
Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory
Kenyan Bureau of Standards
Are you curious about OpenDosimeter and want to get involved? The more people who evaluate and implement the OpenDosimeter in their settings, the more impactful the project will be! Head over to our GitHub repository for more information
We would love to see your device! Share your photos and progress with us: opendosimeter@gmail.com
In August 2024, we ran a collaborative workshop at the Strathmore University makerspace in Nairobi, Kenya. Based on the open-source documentation and provided components, students built their own OpenDosimeters and gave critical feedback on the device and documentation. This is an example of capacity-building activities in radiation safety that is possible with the OpenDosimeter.