Education in nuclear science at IPEN - CNEN,São Paulo,Brazil: Advanced School of Nuclear Energy—EAEN

EAEN (Advanced School of Nuclear Energy, 2010) is an annual school that consists of a week of activities in the area of Nuclear Physics, Radiochemistry and uses of Nuclear Energy for a public made of high school students. The EAEN project represents a pioneering program on science education and dissemination of knowledge, conducted by researchers and focused mainly on high school and scientific education for the population in general. The school’s priority is to explore the failures and the lack of education in the dissemination of nuclear energy for high school students as well as to attract prospective students with great potential for graduate courses of IPEN and other institutions in Sao Paulo and in Brazil.     

Thermal decomposition of the magnesium, zinc, lead and niobium chelates derived from 8-quinolinol

Solid M-Ox compounds, whereM represents Mg(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and NbO(III), and Ox is 8-quinolinol, have been prepared. Thermogravimetry, derivative thermogravimetry (TG, DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared absorption spectra (IR) have been used to characterize and to study the thermal stability and thermal decomposition of these compounds.The authors acknowledge the FAPESP (Proc. 90/2932-4), CAPES and CNPq for financial support.     

Radioactivity measurements as tool for physics dissemination

In general people associate environmental radioactivity with the artificial radioactivity and knows very little about natural radioactivity. Thus there is a critical need to improve nuclear physics public education. From 2005 in Italy two programs were promoted from Ministry of Education and University and National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) for scientific dissemination in the field of environmental radioactivity. High school students in many Italian regions were involved in particular in indoor radon measurements. With this program students acquired awareness about the risks of inhalation of radon and its progeny and at the same time contributed to carry out radon monitoring, participating to all the experimental phases, from detectors set-up to data analysis. In particular we report about the activities carried out at Catania University and INFN division regarding a survey in the eastern Sicily. The overall monitoring, spanned over a period of 5 years, was carried out using passive nuclear track detection technique, through CR-39 dosimeters. In total about 500 detectors were placed in dwellings and schools in 57 locations. The investigated area have shown medium–high indoor radon concentrations, higher than the Italian average (70 Bq/m³). From the evaluation of the participating teachers and students, this kind of activities represents a successful strategy to enhance dissemination of physics, in particular in radioactivity topics.     

Nuclear forensics education at the University of Texas at Austin

Nuclear forensics continues to be an integral part of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the National Nuclear Security Administration. As with our previous three-year Nuclear Forensics Education Award Program we will continue to offer a comprehensive educational program and closely collaborate with national laboratories to pursue common research. Our research will primarily focus on analysis of radioactive debris following a nuclear or radiological dispersive device event or the investigation of the pedigree of nuclear materials in nonproliferation. This research will include using Compton suppression and gamma coincidence low-level gamma ray counting, investigation of nuclear fuel cycles for nonproliferation, on-site inspection within the context of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and radioxenon detection physics. We also offer a graduate program in nuclear robotics, an interdisciplinary program in the automation of handling special nuclear materials. To better equip our students who are entering the workforce at the national laboratories and government agencies we are also proposing the development of several new laboratory modules for non-destructive identification of fission products in environmental samples and irradiated uranium specimens at various enrichments and characterizing naturally occurring radioactive material. Collaboration with Florida Memorial University a Historically Black Colleges and Universities will continue for training and collaborative research.     

Nuclear science education in Taiwan, 1956–1992

The nuclear science education has been established in Taiwan at the College of Nuclear Science, National Tsing Hua University since 1956, the only one among 123 universities and colleges in Taiwan where nuclear-related education is offered. The Nuclear/Radiochemistry program, with nine faculty members, offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in Nuclear Science. Lectures and lab classes of nuclear chemistry, radiochemistry, and allied branches in health physics, nuclear instruments, nuclear engineering, nuclear medicine, radiation biology, and environmental monitoring are given to the 17 undergraduate students and 33 postgraduate students currently registered. Support from the well-developed local nuclear power industry and government agencies is converged with rapid growth rate toward the Nuclear/Radiochemistry program; the 1992 annual research contracts for the program amounted over one million US dollars. Careerplacement program for graduates is developed to orientate them into the local nuclear power utilities as well as agricultural, medical, industrial, academic, and govemmental sects where nuclear chemists and radiochemists at all levels are desperately needed.     

Thermal decomposition of some diuretic agents

Thermogravimetry-derivativc thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry were used to study the thermal behaviour of furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, and amiloride hydrochloride. The results revealed the extents of their thermal stability and also permitted interpretations concerning their thermal decompositions.The authors thank FAPESP (Proc. 90/2932-4) and CNPq for financial support, and Hoechst of Brazil, Prodome Química e Farmaceutica Ltda, Campinas, Brazil, and Biolab. Industrias Farmaceuticas, Brazil, for supplying the diuretic agents used in this study.     

Further development of a graduate program in nuclear and radiochemistry at the University of Texas

Over the last three years we have developed a very robust nuclear and radiochemistry program at The University of Texas at Austin. The cornerstone of support was the DOE Radiochemistry Educational Award Program (REAP) that was awarded from 2002–2005. A second award for the period of 2005–2008 was just received. This award has enabled us to support many educational activities from vanguard classroom instruction, to laboratory enhancements, to research activities at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Both traditional radiochemistry and advanced topics in nuclear instrumentation have been supported. Various DOE university programs, national lab funding and IAEA fellowship grants, have allowed the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program at the University of Texas to be at the forefront of nuclear and radiochemistry educational and research activities and help secure the next generation of needed expertise.     

A web-based course in nuclear and radiochemistry

Over the last six years through a Department of Energy Radiochemistry Education Award Program (REAP) we have developed a completely web-based course in nuclear and radiochemistry given at the University of Texas at Austin. This course has had nuclear and radiation engineering and chemistry graduate students. While the course also has an extensive laboratory component only the lectures are web based. The lectures begin with a historical introduction of radiochemistry followed by two movies on Madame Curie. This is followed by the usual lectures on radioactivity, fundamental properties, radioactive decay, decay modes, and nuclear reactions. As section on radioactive waste management and nuclear fuel cycle is also presented. Lectures in neutron activation analysis, geo- and cosmochemistry, and plutonium chemistry have also been developed. All lectures are in power point with many animations and a significant number of solved problems. All students are required to make a short oral presentation on some aspect of nuclear and radiochemistry in their research or a chosen topic.     

欧洲放射化学教育、培训合作项目CINCH介绍与启示

核能发展需要放射化学人才,而放射化学人才紧缺在世界范围内是个普遍现象。本文介绍了欧洲应对放射化学人才危机而开展的欧洲放射化学教育、培训合作项目(CINCH),包括一期和二期项目。项目的成果包括详细的放射化学教育现状调查,统一的培养课程体系,以及开放的网络学习平台(NucWik)等。这些成功的经验可为我国的放射化学教育提供有益的启示。     

Development of a graduate curriculum in nuclear and radiochemistry and the research interactions with US Department of Energy national laboratories

Summary In the past few years there has been renewed worldwide interest in the re-establishment of various nuclear and radiochemistry disciplines in the hope of training the next generation of skilled researchers in this area. In the United States there continues to be an acute shortage of MSc and PhD level trained students, particularly at the Department of Energy national laboratories. As a result of this critical need the Department of Energy established a Radiochemistry Education Award Program (REAP) in the late 1990's to address this issue. Several universities were awarded funding to establish various complimentary programs. One of the main goals of the REAP at the University of Texas was to establish a web-based graduate level course with associated labs and to have interactions with the national laboratories.     

Education in the nuclear sciences in Japanese universitites

Although there are 430 govemment and private universities in Japan, only a limited number of them have departments associated with nuclear science education. Moreover, mainly because of financial pressures, this association is often limited to government universities. Nuclear engineering departments are incorporated with only seven of the larger universities, and there are three institutes with nuclear reactors. In these facilities, education in reactor physics, radiation measurements, electromagnetic and material sciences, are conducted. In terms of radiation safety and radiological health physics, tem radioisotope centers and seven radiochemistry laboratories in universities play an important role. Virtually all of the financial support for nuclear education comes from the Japanese Govemment via the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture. These are supplemented via private and corporate grants to various university faculty members. In addition to these universities, and private/corporate research institutes, The Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute teaches a short lecture course in nuclear science on a regular basis.     

The United States Department of Energy funded program: Summer schools in nuclear and radio-chemistry

Following several national surveys that clearly indicated both a paucity of universities offering nuclear chemistry courses, and a severe shortage of personnel trained and educated in nuclear sciences, the US Department of Energy (DOE) agreed to fund a special summer program. This program would take 12 undergraduates on a competitive scholarship basis from across the nation, and provide them with an intensive 6 week course in the fundamentals of nuclear science. The first such course was taught in the summer of 1984 at San Jose State University in California, and has met each summer since that time. In this course, the students cover material equivalent to approximately 2 semester units of health physics and radiological safety, 3 semester units of lecture material on nuclear chemistry, radiochemistry, uses of radionuclides, and nuclear instrumentation, and 3 semester units of laboratory work in radiochemistry, radiation chemistry, and associated topics in nuclear science. A second course was opened in 1989, with the same curriculum and intent, and sited at the Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, New York. With regard to intent, both courses are very successful, with a majority of persons going on to complete graduate degrees in some aspect of nuclear science (nuclear chemistry, nuclear physics, health physics, nuclear medicine PhD programs, and synthesis with radio-nuclides or programs such as nuclear pharmacy or pharmacology) or nuclear medicine and oncology via MD programs.Presently a member of the Chemistry Department, formerly Chairman of the Department of Chemistry, and now Dean of the College of Science at SJSU.     

Investigation,design and analysis of a fast neutron facility on beam port 4 at the University of Texas MARK II TRIGA Reactor

Graduate students in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Texas at Austin have designed and modeled a fast neutron prompt-gamma activation analysis facility as part of a new course introduced in the graduate program titled “The Design of Nuclear Systems.” The students were responsible for creating a design concept as well as implementing and modeling the concept to ensure its safety and functionality. The purpose of the class was to give graduate students the independence to create a project of their own vision, but to do so in a collaborative and formal manner as will be necessary in their future work. The fast neutron PGAA facility was successfully designed and computational models have been analyzed to display benefits of the fast neutron facility compared to the thermal neutron PGAA facility that also exists at The University of Texas at Austin.     

Radiochemical approaches to fullerene chemistry

Nuclear and radiochemistry offers special and attractive possibilities for exploring the fascinating world of closed-shell carbon cages called fullerenes. This review presents a panoramic view on the use of radioactivity, nuclear irradiation and instrumental nuclear techniques in the elucidation of the structure and composition of fullerenes and their compounds.     

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities Notice to Authors

"Chemical Research in Chinese Universities", sponsored by Jilin University mandated by the Ministry of Education of P. R. China and published by Higher Education Press in China, is a comprehensive academic journal in the field of chemistry. The journal contains original papers, research notes, letters and reviews written by faculty members, scientific researchers, postgraduates and graduate students of universities and colleges, and scientific institutes all over China and the world, and reports the latest and most creative results of important fundamental research in all aspects of chemistry and of developments with significant consequences across subdisciplines.     

A study on the clearance of metal frames of waste filters from ventilation system in nuclear power plant

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The ventilation filters from ventilation system in the control area of nuclear power plant will be regularly replaced. In general, the metal frame...     

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities Notice to Authors

"Chemical Research in Chinese Universities", sponsored by Jilin University mandated by the Education Ministry of P. R. China and published by Higher Education Press in China, is a comprehensive academic journal in the field of chemistry.The journal contains original papers, research notes, letters and reviews written by faculty members, scientific researchers,postgraduates and graduate students of universities and colleges, and scientific institutes all over China and the world, and reports the latest and most creative results of important fundamental research in all aspects of chemistry and of developments with significant consequences across subdisciplines.     

Radiotracer techniques courses at Eastern Michigan University: Evolution with changing clientele

The radiochemistry program at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) was initiated twenty years ago. A three-semester-hour lecture/laboratory course was offered specifically for chemistry and biology seniors and first year graduate students. As demand increased from medical technologists, a special course was introduced in radiation and radioimmunoassay. The Nuclear Medicine Technology program required a different approach. A special mini course was also taught for biologists. At present the 3-hour course is being reevaluated to address the needs of biochemists and toxicologists. The evolution of nuclear science courses at EMU and their current status is discussed.     

Electrolytic reduction of Tc(VII) in nitric acid solution using glassy carbon electrode

Electroreduction of Tc(VII) was studied in nitric acid solution using glassy carbon electrode. The electroreduction was conducted at a constant potential –300 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) with a potentiostat. It was found that the difference of the Tc concentration in the solutions before and after the electrolysis was negligibly small. This means that there were almost no TcO₂ or Tc deposited on the carbon fiber electrode during the electroreduction. Absorption spectra and distribution coefficients obtained by ion-exchange analysis indicated that Tc(VII) was reduced to Tc(IV).This work was financed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) under the framework of The Development of Innovative Nuclear Technologies.     

Electrolytic reduction of Tc(VII) in nitric acid solution using glassy carbon electrode

Electroreduction of Tc(VII) was studied in nitric acid solution using glassy carbon electrode. The electroreduction was conducted at a constant potential –300 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) with a potentiostat. It was found that the difference of the Tc concentration in the solutions before and after the electrolysis was negligibly small. This means that there were almost no TcO₂ or Tc deposited on the carbon fiber electrode during the electroreduction. Absorption spectra and distribution coefficients obtained by ion-exchange analysis indicated that Tc(VII) was reduced to Tc(IV).This work was financed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) under the framework of The Development of Innovative Nuclear Technologies.