Analysis of fracture conditions of Cr-coated Zr alloy claddings under LOCA conditions calculated using FEMAXI fuel performance code

Luu, V. N.; Taniguchi, Yoshinori; Udagawa, Yutaka; Tasaki, Yudai; Katsuyama, Jinya

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 230, p.112114_1 - 112114_14, 2026/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2026.112114

Implementation of a new function for handling nuclear data of outgoing particles and residual excitation states in PHITS

Furuta, Takuya; Hashimoto, Shintaro; Ogawa, Tatsuhiko; Tanimura, Yoshihiko

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1086, p.171320_1 - 171320_8, 2026/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2026.171320

A new function to incorporate nuclear data libraries with outgoing particles plus residual nuclei in specific excitation states for neutron-induced reactions has been implemented in a Monte Carlo simulation code, Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS). With this function, accurate predictions of outgoing particle spectra and angular distributions according to the nuclear data libraries become possible, while accounting for production of residual nuclei and de-excitation gammas, conserving total energy and momentum in each event. This feature allows users to perform high-precision simulations of detector responses and radiation damage in materials.

International benchmark on radionuclide solubility and speciation for the Long-term In-situ Test (LIT) at Grimsel Test Site (GTS, Switzerland)

Noseck, U.*; Schfer, T.*; Alonso, U.*; Hamamoto, Takafumi*; Havlova, V.*; Hibberd, R.*; Ishidera, Takamitsu; Kitamura, Akira; Klajmon, M.*; Missana, T.*; et al.

Applied Geochemistry, 201, p.106762_1 - 106762_23, 2026/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2026.106762

Thermodynamic benchmark calculations have been performed to better understand the behavior of Se(VI), Tc(VII), U(VI), Np(V), Am(III), Th(IV) and Pu(IV)) in the evolving geochemical conditions of the Long-term In-situ Test (LIT) at the Grimsel Test Site (GTS) and corresponding mock-up experiment. It also aims to identify the status of the geochemical speciation models and databases for these elements. The experiments are simulating the near-field conditions in some radioactive waste repository concept including a bentonite engineered barrier emplaced in crystalline rock and the findings are contributing to the long-term safety assessment of these facilities.

Highly water-permeable WO-containing porous hydrogel via freeze-crosslinking for efficiency and salt-robust dye Decolorization

Sugita, Tsuyoshi; Ueda, Yuki; Nakabe, Rintaro; Mori, Masanobu*; Nankawa, Takuya; Sekine, Yurina

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A; Chemistry, 473, p.116773_1 - 116773_9, 2026/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2025.116773

We developed a WO-embedded hydrogel (WFG) by freeze-cross-linking that retained high activity even in the presence of coexisting salts. Confocal laser scanning microscope revealed interconnected channels < 200 m. ensuring good water permeability, and contrast-matching small-angle neutron scattering showed that the secondary particle size of embedded WO (~300 nm) matched that in aqueous suspension. Under visible-light irradiation, WFG decolorized indigo carmine (INC) 1.5-fold increase in rate than suspended WO and 3.7-fold increase in rate than a WO-coated glass plate. Coexisting salts (NaNO, NaCl, NaSO, NaHPO) altered the decolorization efficiency; NaNO and NaSO enhanced, whereas Cl and HPO suppressed the reaction, indicating that ionic strength and anion-species affect contact efficiency and charge transfer.

Background aerial monitoring and UAV radiation monitoring technology development for emergency response and preparedness in the fiscal year 2024 (Contract research)

Futemma, Akira; Ochi, Kotaro; Sasaki, Miyuki; Nakama, Shigeo; Kawasaki, Yoshiharu*; Iwai, Takeyuki*; Hiraga, Shogo*; Haginoya, Masashi*; Matsunaga, Yuki*; Sanada, Yukihisa; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2025-015, 171 Pages, 2026/03

JAEA-Technology-2025-015.pdf:11.43MB

On March 11, 2011, the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami caused the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, releasing radioactive material. Since then, Aerial Radiation Monitoring (ARM) with manned helicopters has been used to assess radiation distribution quickly. In FY2024, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), under commission from the Nuclear Regulation Authority, conducted ARM around the Shimane Nuclear Power Station, producing background dose rate maps validated against ground and other data. During a nuclear emergency drill, UAV training flights complemented manned monitoring, confirming the effectiveness of real-time communication and rapid mapping. The UAV data system was developed and demonstrated for real-time analysis and multi-platform use. Skill training for multicopters was also conducted to strengthen operational capability. Additionally, joint monitoring with the U.S., France, South Korea, and Canada provided insights into international technologies and practices, emphasizing the value of information sharing. This report summarizes the results and technical challenges from these FY2024 activities, contributing to the advancement of emergency radiation monitoring.

Synthesis report on the R&D for the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project carried out between fiscal years 2020-2024

Nakayama, Masashi; Ishii, Eiichi; Aoyagi, Kazuhei; Hayano, Akira; Ono, Hirokazu; Ozaki, Yusuke; Mochizuki, Akihito; Takeda, Masaki; Kimura, Shun

JAEA-Research 2025-016, 141 Pages, 2026/03

JAEA-Research-2025-016.pdf:13.37MB

The Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory (URL) Project is being pursued by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). The main aim of the project is to enhance the reliability of relevant technologies for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste by investigating the deep geological environment within the host sedimentary rocks at Horonobe in Hokkaido, northern Japan. These investigations have been conducted in three phases: "Phase 1: Surface-based investigation", "Phase 2: Construction" (investigation during tunnel excavation) and "Phase 3: Operation" (investigation in subsurface facilities). Since the fiscal year 2020, we have been conducting R&D based on the Horonobe Underground Research Plan for the Fiscal Year 2020 Onwards, which was approved by Hokkaido Prefecture and Horonobe Town. In particular, we are working on the following key tasks with the aim of completing JAEA's 3rd and 4th Mid- and Long-Term Plans: "Study on near-field system performance in geological environments", "Demonstration of repository design options" and "Understanding of buffering behaviour of sedimentary rocks to natural perturbations". This report summarizes the R&D activities on the three above-mentioned key tasks, the goals of which were achieved between fiscal years 2020 and 2024. The results obtained from these tasks will be systematically organized as part of the "Systematic integration of technologies towards EBS emplacement" which has been in progress since fiscal year 2024. This task includes concepts related to the layout of galleries and pits, installation methods for engineered barrier materials, and methods for evaluating their containment performance.

In situ study of growth mechanism of germanene segregated through Ag(111) thin films by Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Terasawa, Tomoo; Katsube, Daiki*; Yano, Masahiro; Ozawa, Takahiro*; Tsuda, Yasutaka; Yoshigoe, Akitaka; Asaoka, Hidehito; Suzuki, Seiya

Chemistry of Materials, 38(6), p.2933 - 2945, 2026/03

AA2025-0822.pdf:1.33MB

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.5c03462

Operation status of the charge exchange foil and replacement work of the foil transfer mechanism in the J-PARC 3GeV synchrotron

Nakanoya, Takamitsu; Yoshimoto, Masahiro; Saha, P. K.; Takeda, Osamu*; Saeki, Riuji*; Muto, Masayoshi*; Miyo, Takuya*

Proceedings of 22nd Annual Meeting of Particle Accelerator Society of Japan (Internet), p.790 - 794, 2026/03

https://www.pasj.jp/web_publish/pasj2025/proceedings/PDF/FRP0/FRP030.pdf

The J-PARC 3 GeV Rapid Cycling Synchrotron (RCS) utilizes pure carbon foils produced in-house by JAEA as charge exchange foils. In November 2023, during beam commissioning just before the start of user operation, a malfunction occurred in a foil drive mechanism. The foil drive mechanism is responsible for replacing and inserting foils into the beamline. This malfunction prevented remote replacement of the foils. Therefore, when foil replacement was necessary, it was performed manually with visual confirmation near the mechanism. The foil drive mechanism was subsequently replaced and restored during the 2024 summer maintenance period. Despite the issue with the foil drive mechanism, the charge exchange foils demonstrated stability under beam irradiation, and there were no operational problems. Recent efforts have significantly enhanced the durability of the foils against beam irradiation through the implementation of two novel methods. One method involves selecting an appropriate diameter for the carbon rod used in charge exchange foil fabrication. The other method utilizes carbon nanotube (CNT) wire as a support material for the foils. While beam irradiation causes foil deformation, these methods show significantly reduced deformation compared to previous foils. This improvement raises the possibility of using foils for a longer operational lifespan. In this paper, we report on the foil drive mechanism malfunction, subsequent replacement work, and the performance of the charge exchange foils during user operation from 2023 to 2025.

Effect of coaxial HPGe detector structure on -ray beam measurements

Omer, M.; Shizuma, Toshiyuki*; Koizumi, Mitsuo; Taira, Yoshitaka*; Zen, H.*; Ogaki, Hideaki*; Hajima, Ryoichi*

Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 240, p.113467_1 - 113467_8, 2026/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.113467

Operation, test, research and development of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) (FY2024)

Department of HTTR

JAEA-Review 2025-053, 86 Pages, 2026/02

JAEA-Review-2025-053.pdf:3.06MB

This report summarizes the activities carried out in the fiscal year 2024 about the operation and maintenance of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR), the R&Ds using the HTTR and so on. The HTTR is the first Japanese test reactor of High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) type with 30MW in thermal power and whose maximum outlet coolant temperature achieved 950C. HTGRs are regarded as the promising candidates of the Next Generation Nuclear Plants conformed to the future decarbonized society because of the inherent safety characteristics as well as high temperature heat supply capability for not only power generation but for wide-ranging industrial uses such as hydrogen production and so on. The HTTR achieved its reactor outlet coolant temperature of 950C under full thermal power of 30MW on April 19, 2004. And since then, HTTR has had a lot of experience of HTGRs' operation and maintenance throughout rated power operations, safety demonstration tests, long-term high temperature operations and demonstration tests relevant to HTGRs' R&Ds. In the fiscal year 2024, we conducted heat load variation tests simulating heat load fluctuations due to equipment abnormalities at thermal utilization facilities (hydrogen production facilities) planned to be connected to HTTR, as well as radioactive iodine quantitative evaluation tests to assess the amount of radioactive iodine deposited in the pipes, assuming a primary double-pipe high temperature gas duct rupture accident of the HTGR. Additionally, to confirm hydrogen production technology using the high-temperature gas reactor, we applied to Nuclear Regulation Authority for a reactor installation change permit to connect a hydrogen production facility to HTTR.