This Wi‑Fi receiver can work inside a nuclear reactor, keeping robots connected

Researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo developed a Wi‑Fi receiver that operates after exposure to 500 kGy of radiation.

The receiver showed only small performance loss—about 1.5 dB gain drop—while remaining functional.

The team aims to build a fully wireless control system for nuclear decommissioning robots and is developing a transmitter using new materials.

Global reactor decommissioning is accelerating: 204 reactors have shut down and only 11 large plants have been fully dismantled.

Transmitter development is harder; an earlier transmitter prototype failed at 300 kGy, so researchers are testing materials like diamond.