In a remarkable milestone for semiconductor technology, China’s state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has announced the commencement of mass production for the world’s first chip capable of detecting nuclear radiation.
Distinguished by its minimal size and low power consumption, this chip is paving the way for a variety of new applications in the field of radiation detection.
The CNNC’s innovative chip can measure dose rates of X-ray and gamma-ray radiation ranging from 100 nanoSieverts per hour to 10 milliSieverts per hour.
This capability enables it to detect radiation levels typical to numerous situations, such as the approximate 3,000 nanoSievert per hour exposure during a commercial flight or the 60 to 200 nanoSievert exposure in natural environments.
One of the most significant achievements of this chip is its versatility.
Unlike conventional bulky radiation detectors, this semiconductor chip measures just 15mm by 15mm by 3mm and operates on a mere one milliwatt of power.
Its compact dimensions and enhanced functionality allow it to be embedded in everyday devices such as smartphones or attached to unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones, thereby transforming them into smart radiation detection instruments.
CNNC reports that the development of the chip, from design to testing and now to its mass production, was conducted entirely in-house within Chinese factories.
This development marks a watershed moment in the global semiconductor landscape amid ongoing tensions between China and the United States concerning technology and innovation.
As U.S. sanctions have restricted the supply of semiconductors and AI chips to China, this new advancement by CNNC illustrates China’s resolve to advance independently in high-tech sectors.
The chip’s introduction has profound implications for various fields, especially nuclear-related industries such as power plants and weapon facilities where precise monitoring of radiation levels is critical.
Furthermore, its use in environmental assessments extends its relevance beyond industrial applications.
This technological breakthrough is indicative of China’s burgeoning capability in semiconductor innovation and comes on the heels of predictions that the country might surpass the U.S. in advanced fields including quantum computing, nuclear power, and material science.
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a think tank in Washington, recognized 44 Chinese firms’ progress in these fields, underscoring China’s momentum in achieving technological self-sufficiency.
For years, China’s innovations were often dismissed as imitative, but recent investments in research and development have rapidly shifted the perception of China as an innovation powerhouse.
With initiatives like the nuclear radiation-detecting chip, China is not only bolstering its own technological infrastructure but is also setting global benchmarks in several high-stakes industries.
As this technology enters the market, it opens up new avenues for radiation monitoring, offering a glimpse into a future where the integration of critical detection tools into everyday devices becomes commonplace.
This development may herald a new era in personal and environmental safety, transforming the way we approach radiation exposure and protection worldwide.