Fiona Lin
Pronouns:
Research Mentor(s): Kimberlee Kearfott
Research Mentor School/College/Department: NERS/BME / Engineering
Program:
Authors: Rachel E Mecca, Fiona Lin, Jackson H Eggerd, Jordan D Noey, Kimberlee Kearfott
Session: Session 2: 10 am – 10:50 am
Poster:
Abstract
DoseBusters is a virtual reality radiation protection and detection game built with the Unity engine that provides immersive real-time radiation simulations. It is designed to engage students, professionals, and the public in learning. DoseBusters tracks the player’s position while summing dose rates from nearby virtual sources. A simple one-over-r-squared point source assumption is used. Dose rates are displayed in real-time on virtual detectors, while an integrated virtual dosimeter tracks the player’s accumulated dose. After orienting the player to general VR controls and DoseBusters tools, players unfamiliar with radiation are taught radiation basics in DoseBusters’ Tutorial Laboratory. After this, most players would benefit from additional radiation detection and surveying fundamentals practice. The Dosebusters’ Source-Finding Game, presented here, addresses that need. It tasks the player with locating and identifying sources. Players must choose from a selection of radiation detectors appropriate for different scenarios. Upon loading the game, a randomization system places one or more sources within a virtual environment. This randomization provides unique detection scenarios that build upon the player’s experience and reduce repetitiveness. After locating sources, the player is asked to retrieve and safely store the sources. A player’s attempt at the game will include a numerical score which decreases with time or dose while locating and handling the sources. DoseBusters currently allows the user to locate gamma emitters with a detector that provides adjusted dose rates based on radionuclide-specific gamma dose rate constants. The detectors exhibit a simplistic response to different radiation energies and do not account for radiation types other than gamma. To increase realism, Dosebusters’ physics capabilities will be expanded to include alpha and beta radiation. A beta version of the early levels of DoseBusters’ will be available for testing this year.
