Effects of hydrophilic groups of polymer on change in hydrogen-bonding structure of water in hydrogels during dehydration

Sugiyama, Hitoshi*; Kato, Kenichi*; Sekine, Naoko*; Sekine, Yurina; Watanabe, Tomoaki*; Fukazawa, Tomoko*

Chemical Physics Letters, 856, p.141655_1 - 141655_8, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2024.141655

To investigate the effects of polymer hydrophilicity on structures of water in hydrogels, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements were performed. The results show that the amount of intermediate water in polyacrylamide (PAA) hydrogel is about 12% smaller than that in poly--dimethylacrylamide (PDMAA) hydrogel. Furthermore, it was found that the bound water in PAA hydrogel primarily exists around the surface of the polymer bundles, whereas that in PDMAA hydrogel acts as a crosslinker factor for dehydration and water absorption in hydrogels.

Development of training course on non-destructive assay of nuclear material for Asian region, 2; Development of lectures and exercises on gamma-ray measurement

Yamamoto, Masahiko; Kono, Soma; Saegusa, Yu; Kuno, Takehiko; Sekine, Megumi; Inoue, Naoko; Noro, Naoko; Rodriguez, D.; Yamaguchi, Tomoki; Stinett, J.*

Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Annual Meeting 2023 (Internet), 10 Pages, 2023/05

The gamma-ray measurement part of the Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) course of safeguards and nuclear material accountancy was developed to focus on gamma-ray measurement allotting two days out of five days. The lectures on the basic characteristics and detection methods and mechanism of gamma-ray detectors were provided as e-learnings which were developed. The part for hands-on exercises were implemented in JAEA facility. Participants have set up each gamma-ray detector, and performed measurements of uranium and the other gamma-ray emitting nuclides. Also, uranium-235 enrichment measurements have been performed. In addition, the participants trained with a handheld gamma-ray spectrometer, HM-5, that is popular for IAEA safeguards as the preparation in the measurement exercise of fresh fuel assemblies in JRR-3, a research reactor facility of JAEA. This paper reports on the development, implementation, and feedback from participants on gamma-ray measurement part of the NDA course.

Good practices of the online training on physical protection of nuclear materials and facility

Noro, Naoko; Scharmer, C.*; Kawakubo, Yoko; Sekine, Megumi; Okuda, Masahiro; Inoue, Naoko

Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Virtual Annual Meeting (Internet), 10 Pages, 2021/08

In the amid of COVID-19 pandemic, Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security (ISCN) of Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) developed and conducted regional training course on physical protection of nuclear materials and facility (PP RTC) for Asian countries in October 19-30, 2020 as an online course. Maintaining the quality of in-person two-week training through online platforms was a big challenge. For effective learning, ISCN combined e-learning (self-study) and interactive learning (virtual classroom) for its online PP RTC, and engaged participants through group exercise via Zoom meeting. The paper will describe efforts of ISCN and SNL to develop the online curriculum of PP RTC and share lessons learned and good practices for course development and course implementation. The paper will also explore future application of online contents in nuclear security capacity building even after the pandemic.

Development and implementation of online trainings at ISCN/JAEA

Inoue, Naoko; Noro, Naoko; Kawakubo, Yoko; Sekine, Megumi; Okuda, Masahiro; Hasegawa, Nobuhiko*; Naoi, Yosuke

Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Virtual Annual Meeting (Internet), 10 Pages, 2021/08

Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security (ISCN) of Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2020. One of its pillars is capacity building support mainly to Asian countries. 183 trainings were implemented with more than 4,600 participants since its establishment, however, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted in the implementation of the trainings. ISCN/JAEA has started to develop the online trainings since April 2020, and implemented two regional trainings, Physical Protection and State System of Accounting for and Control (SSAC) for IAEA Safeguards in October and November 2020, respectively. The efforts continue in further development of trainings/workshops, including the regional training on Additional Protocol for IAEA Safeguards Agreement Commodity Identification Training, and other two national workshops with foreign instructors. Online training can provide not only training opportunities for those who have difficulty in traveling for security and safety reasons including under the travel restriction by COVID-19 pandemic, but also could serve in making them more effective and efficient, especially by the combination with in-person trainings. The pandemic, as a result, accelerate ISCN/JAEA to develop and implement the online trainings, which key is the international collaboration with the partners including IAEA, DOE/NNSA and Sandia National Laboratories and International Nuclear Nonproliferation and Security Academy (INSA) of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC). This paper will provide the efforts of ISCN/JAEA how to address the online training development and implementation, current status, lesson learned, and future plan.

Efforts and findings through capacity building support by ISCN/JAEA for additional protocol and revised small quantity protocol to comprehensive safeguards agreement

Kawakubo, Yoko; Sekine, Megumi; Noro, Naoko; Inoue, Naoko; Naoi, Yosuke

no journal, , 

Capacity building support for nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear security supported by divers working style

Inoue, Naoko; Sekine, Megumi; Kawakubo, Yoko; Noro, Naoko; Kakudate, Kazumi; Numata, Masaaki; Sukegawa, Hidetoshi

no journal, , 

The capacity building support activities by JAEA/ISCN are supported by the teamwork of diverse people with divers workstyle.

Effective and efficient radiological security capacity building support for Asian region; US-Japan partnership

Noro, Naoko; Sekine, Megumi; Inoue, Naoko; Buddemeier, B.*

no journal, , 

For Asian countries, radiological security is one of the top priority topics for nuclear security capacity building. However, the maturity of radiological material security regime varies among those countries so that training needs as well as target audiences and level of course also vary. To support those Asian countries efficiently and effectively, ISCN/JAEA has been collaborating with US DOE/NNSA and national laboratories, each bringing resources such as funds, lecturers and instructors, training materials, equipment, network of experts, teaching methods, logistic excellence and so on, to develop tailor-made training curriculum. The paper reports on the cooperation between ISCN/JAEA and DOE/NNSA for supporting Lao PDR as a case study for effective and efficient radiological security capacity building support. This bilateral cooperation contributes to strengthening regional and thus global radiological security.

Application to VR system related nuclear security and safeguards trainings

Sekine, Megumi; Ogura, Yuichi*; Inoue, Naoko

no journal, , 

We will present the application to virtual reality (VR) for nuclear security and safeguards training developed by Integrated Support center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security of Japan Atomic Energy Agency.