India Today, April 21, 2003

In the News

Patel (right) and his son Paresh show a badge

Badge of Honour

 WORRIED about radiation that terrorist bombs may set off? No need to if Gordhan N. Patel’s invention is put to use. His JP Laboratories managed by son Paresh has developed a dosimeter badge, the size of a credit card, to monitor and warn of high-energy radiation. After 9/11, as the fear of terrorist attacks spread, Patel got a federal grant to develop the instrument. “We put all other projects aside,” he says. An indicator on the badge turns blue if the wearer is exposed to nuclear radiation, and since it shows exposure level as well, “it can also be useful for physicians who treat the patient”. The dosimeter will be priced at $5 while special features like false signal or hologram and magnetic strip will hike it to $10 a piece. It will be available both for civilians and military personnel. This is one badge Patel wears with honour.

 —Nitish S. Rule