A groundbreaking mobile application, the Personal Alarm Assessment Tool (PAAT), has been developed through a collaboration between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This innovative app is designed to enhance the safety of front-line officers at key entry points such as airports, border crossings, and major public events. PAAT allows officers to swiftly assess alarms triggered by radiation detection systems, enabling faster and more efficient responses to potential threats. Now available for public use, the app represents a significant advancement in global radiation safety.
Web link: PAAT-IAEA – Apps on Google Play
The Department of Physics at USJ played a crucial role in this project. Under the leadership of Prof. N. G. S. Shantha Gamage, the team comprised Dr. W. Wasanthi P. De Silva, Prof. W. K. I. L. Wanniarachchi, and Mr. B. H. Lakshitha M. Fernando. They were instrumental in simulating radiation data using advanced Fluka software. Computation facilities for these simulations were provided by Tohoku University, Japan. The simulated data was validated against experimental results obtained from Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama, using instruments supplied by the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, ensuring the app’s accuracy and reliability in real-world scenarios. The project was supported by a grant from the IAEA awarded to Prof. Shantha Gamage, Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The development of PAAT was funded by the IAEA, headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The project was coordinated by Dr. Nadeera Gunaratna, currently a consultant at the IAEA.
PAAT brings significant advantages to both security personnel and the general public by providing a tool that accurately assesses radiation risks in a timely manner. This collaboration between Sri Lankan physicists and the IAEA underscores the international importance of this achievement and highlights Sri Lanka’s contributions to global safety technology. This marks a monumental advancement in radiation detection technology, and the team behind its development deserves recognition for their expertise and dedication.