Beneficial Applications of Radioactivity in the Modern Era

Radioactive materials are not just confined to laboratories or power plants—they exist all around us. Trace amounts of radioactivity are found in everyday products like smoke detectors, luminous watches, and vintage ceramics. Naturally occurring radioactive elements, such as uranium and thorium, are present in rocks, soil, and building materials like granite. Cosmic rays from outer space also expose us to small doses of radiation. Even our bodies contain natural radioactive isotopes, like potassium-40, from the food and water we consume. Altogether, these sources make radioactivity a natural and ever-present part of both our built and natural worlds.

This Research Topic explores the diverse presence, uses, and significance of radioactive materials and radiation in industry, science, and technology. This Research Topic aims to foster a nuanced understanding of radiation’s pervasive yet often overlooked role in modern life.

Areas within the scope of this collection include:
• The analysis of naturally occurring radioisotopes (radiometric dating) for determining the age of rocks and archaeological artifacts
• Advanced scanning technologies, such as computerized tomography machines, for inspecting luggage and cargo
• Agricultural and food safety applications, such as employing radioisotopes to control insect populations and monitor food safety
• Using radioisotopes for quality control, e.g. to measure the thickness or density of metal and plastic sheets
• Employing radiation to modify material properties, such as increasing the durability and heat resistance of plastics for use in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Please note that works related to medical, military, or weapons applications fall outside the scope of Frontiers in Nuclear Engineering and are not eligible for submission.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Applications, radiography, devices, security, safety, PGNAA, carbon dating

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.