Activity report of the Task Group on Parameters Used in Biospheric Dose Assessment Models for Radioactive Waste Disposal

Takahashi, Tomoyuki*; Fukaya, Yukiko*; Iimoto, Takeshi*; Uni, Yasuo*; Kato, Tomoko; Sun, S.*; Takeda, Seiji; Nakai, Kunihiro*; Nakabayashi, Ryo*; Uchida, Shigeo*; et al.

Hoken Butsuri (Internet), 56(4), p.288 - 305, 2021/12

https://doi.org/10.5453/jhps.56.288

We report the results of activities related to the Task Group of Parameters Used in Biospheric Dose Assessment Models for Radioactive Waste Disposal at the Japan Health Physics Society.

Recent progress in ionic liquid extraction for the separation of rare earth elements

Okamura, Hiroyuki; Hirayama, Naoki*

Analytical Sciences, 37(1), p.119 - 130, 2021/01

https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.20SAR11

This review summarizes recent progress in solvent extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) using an ionic liquid (IL) as the extraction solvent. These IL extraction systems are advantageous owing to the affinity of ILs for both charged and neutral hydrophobic species, in contrast to conventional organic solvent extraction systems. Herein, REE extraction studies using ILs are detailed and classified based on the type of extraction system. In IL extraction systems, the extracted complexes are often different from those in organic solvent systems, and the REE extraction and separation efficiencies are often significantly enhanced. Synergistic IL extraction is an effective approach to improving the extractability and separability of REEs. The development of novel task-specific ionic liquids (TSILs) suitable for IL extraction systems is also effective for REE separation.

Enhancement of element production by incomplete fusion reaction with weakly bound deuteron

Wang, H.*; Otsu, Hideaki*; Chiga, Nobuyuki*; Kawase, Shoichiro*; Takeuchi, Satoshi*; Sumikama, Toshiyuki*; Koyama, Shumpei*; Sakurai, Hiroyoshi*; Watanabe, Yukinobu*; Nakayama, Shinsuke; et al.

Communications Physics (Internet), 2(1), p.78_1 - 78_6, 2019/07

https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-019-0165-1

Searching for effective pathways for the production of proton- and neutron-rich isotopes through an optimal combination of reaction mechanism and energy is one of the main driving forces behind experimental and theoretical nuclear reaction studies as well as for practical applications in nuclear transmutation of radioactive waste. We report on a study on incomplete fusion induced by deuteron, which contains one proton and one neutron with a weak binding energy and is easily broken up. This reaction study was achieved by measuring directly the cross sections for both proton and deuteron for Pd at 50 MeV/u via inverse kinematics technique. The results provide direct experimental evidence for the onset of a cross-section enhancement at high energy, indicating the potential of incomplete fusion induced by loosely-bound nuclei for creating proton-rich isotopes and nuclear transmutation of radioactive waste.

Observation of doubly-charged ions of francium isotopes extracted from a gas cell

Schury, P.*; Wada, Michiharu*; Ito, Yuta*; Kaji, Daiya*; Haba, Hiromitsu*; Hirayama, Yoshikazu*; Kimura, Sota*; Koura, Hiroyuki; MacCormick, M.*; Miyatake, Hiroari*; et al.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 407, p.160 - 165, 2017/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2017.06.014

Various isotopes of Ac, Ra, Fr, and Rn were produced by fusion-evaporation reactions using a Ca beam. The energetic ions were stopped in and extracted from a helium gas cell. The extracted ions were identified using a multi-reflection time-of-fight mass spectrograph. In all cases, it was observed that the predominant charge state for the extracted ions, including the alkali Fr, was 2+.

Study on the deterioration mechanism of layered rock-salt electrodes using epitaxial thin films; Li(Ni, Co, Mn)O and their Zr-O surface modified electrodes

Abe, Machiko*; Iba, Hideki*; Suzuki, Kota*; Minamishima, Hiroaki*; Hirayama, Masaaki*; Tamura, Kazuhisa; Mizuki, Junichiro*; Saito, Tomohiro*; Ikuhara, Yuichi*; Kanno, Ryoji*

Journal of Power Sources, 345, p.108 - 119, 2017/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.01.103

The surface structure of the Li(Ni, Co, Mn)O electrode was studied during charge/discharge process using electrochemical methods and X-ray/Neutron scattering techniques. It was found that during charge/discharge process the coverage of spinel structure increased. The spinel structure has low electrochemical activity and is not involved in Li insertion/extraction. After the surface modification, it was found that the coverage of the spinel structure did not increase. Further, it was also found out that the Li concentration at the electrode/electrolyte interface increased.

Annual report of Nuclear Emergency Assistance and Training Center (April 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013)

Sato, Takeshi; Muto, Shigeo; Okuno, Hiroshi; Katagiri, Hiromi; Akiyama, Kiyomitsu; Okamoto, Akiko; Koie, Masahiro; Ikeda, Takeshi; Nemotochi, Toshimasa; Saito, Toru; et al.

JAEA-Review 2013-046, 65 Pages, 2014/02

JAEA-Review-2013-046.pdf:11.18MB

When a nuclear emergency occurs in Japan, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has the responsibility of providing technical support to the National government, local governments, police, fire stations and nuclear operators etc., because the JAEA has been designated as the Designated Public Institution under the Basic Act on Disaster Control Measures and the Act on Response to Armed Attack Situations, etc.. The Nuclear Emergency Assistance and Training Center (NEAT) of JAEA provides a comprehensive range of technical support activities to an Off-Site Center in case of a nuclear emergency. Specifically, NEAT gives technical advice and information, dispatches specialists as required, and supplies the National Government and local governments with emergency equipments and materials. NEAT provides various exercise and training courses concerning nuclear disaster prevention to those personnel taking an active part in emergency response organizations at normal times. The tasks of NEAT, with its past experiences as a designated public institution including the responses to TEPCO's Fukushima Accident, have been shifted to technical supports to the national government for strengthening its abilities to emergency responses; the NEAT therefore focused on maintenance and operation of its functions, and strengthening its response abilities in cooperation with the national government. This annual report summarized these activities of JAEA/NEAT in the fiscal year 2012.

Specific cooperative effect of a macrocyclic receptor for metal ion transfer into an ionic liquid

Okamura, Hiroyuki; Ikeda, Atsushi*; Saito, Takumi*; Aoyagi, Noboru; Naganawa, Hirochika; Hirayama, Naoki*; Umetani, Shigeo*; Imura, Hisanori*; Shimojo, Kojiro

Analytical Chemistry, 84(21), p.9332 - 9339, 2012/11

https://doi.org/10.1021/ac302015h

GEM-MSTPC; An Active-target type detector in low-pressure He/CO mixed gas

Ishiyama, Hironobu*; Yamaguchi, Kanako*; Mizoi, Yutaka*; Watanabe, Yutaka*; Das, S. K.*; Hashimoto, Takashi*; Miyatake, Hiroari*; Hirayama, Yoshikazu*; Imai, Nobuaki*; Oyaizu, Mitsuhiro*; et al.

Journal of Instrumentation (Internet), 7(3), p.C03036_1 - C03036_14, 2012/03

https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/7/03/C03036

We developed an active-target type gas counter operating with low He/CO (10%) detector gas for application in studying low-energy nuclear reactions using radioactive beams. A 400-m-thick gas electron multiplier (THGEM) was used as the proportional counter for high injection rate capability. We examined the gas gain stability and the influence of ion feedback on particle tracks at high beam injection rates of up to 10 particles per second (pps) using a low-energy C beam. From the result of this examination, we found that the THGEM was found to be applicable for our active target at high injection rates of up to 10 pps.

Shielding experiments under JASMIN collaboration at Fermilab, 4; Measurement and analyses of high-energy neutron spectra in the anti-proton target station

Matsuda, Norihiro; Kasugai, Yoshimi; Sakamoto, Yukio; Nakashima, Hiroshi; Matsumura, Hiroshi*; Iwase, Hiroshi*; Kinoshita, Norikazu*; Hirayama, Hideo*; Yashima, Hiroshi*; Mokhov, N.*; et al.

Journal of the Korean Physical Society, 59(2), p.2055 - 2058, 2011/08

https://doi.org/10.3938/jkps.59.2055

It is important to obtain neutron spectra and its intensity on shielding experiment. Deduction of high-energy neutron spectra were done using fitting and unfolding methods based on the shielding data obtained at the anti-proton (pbar) target station in Fermilab. The neutron spectra for fitting method is useful to be easily obtained and the values gave reasonable results compared with nuclear data. Therefore, that for unfolding methods included inconsistency. Furthermore, the deduced neutron spectra were verified through the calculation analyses by PHITS code.

Shielding experiments at high energy accelerators of Fermilab, 2; Spatial distribution measurement of reaction rate behind the shield and its application for Moyer model

Yashima, Hiroshi*; Kasugai, Yoshimi; Matsuda, Norihiro; Matsumura, Hiroshi*; Iwase, Hiroshi*; Kinoshita, Norikazu*; Mokhov, N.*; Leveling, A.*; Boehnlein, D.*; Vaziri, K.*; et al.

Progress in Nuclear Science and Technology (Internet), 1, p.48 - 51, 2011/02

https://doi.org/10.15669/pnst.1.48

The shielding experiment was performed at the anti-proton production target station in Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Aluminum, Bismath, Niobium, Copper and Indium samples were placed behind the shields. After irradiation, induced activities of samples were measured by using HPGe detector. The spatial distribution of reaction rate of samples which were placed behind the iron and concrete shields were obtained. The measured data shows that the reaction rates on the outer surfaces of the iron and concrete shields increases toward the downstream of the target. The obtained reaction rates were also fitted to Moyer's formula, and the attenuation lengths for iron and concrete shields were obtained.