journal article·2021-11-23Open access

Resurgence of a Nation’s Radiation Science Driven by Its Nuclear Industry Needs

Laura Leay, Aliaksandr Baidak, Christopher Anderson, Choen May Chan, Aaron Daubney, Thomas Donoclift, Gemma Draper, Ruth Edge, Jeff Hobbs, Luke Jones, Nicholas J. S. Mason, Darryl Messer, Mel O’Leary, Robin Orr, Simon M. Pimblott, Samir de Moraes Shubeita, Andrew D. Smith, Helen Steele, Paul Wady, Frederick Currell

Applied Sciences· Volume 11· Issue 23

Abstract

This article describes the radiation facilities and associated sample preparation, management, and analysis equipment currently in place at the Dalton Cumbrian Facility, a facility which opened in 2011 to support the UK’s nuclear industry. Examples of measurements performed using these facilities are presented to illustrate their versatility and the breadth of research they make possible. Results are presented from research which furthers our understanding of radiation damage to polymeric materials, radiolytic yield of gaseous products in situations relevant to nuclear materials, radiation chemistry in light water reactor cooling systems, material chemistry relevant to immobilization of nuclear waste, and radiation-induced corrosion of fuel cladding elements. Applications of radiation chemistry relevant to health care are also described. Research concerning the mechanisms of radioprotection by dietary carotenoids is reported. An ongoing open-labware project to develop a suite of modular sample handling components suited to radiation research is described, as is the development of a new neutron source able to provide directional beams of neutrons.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Radioactive element chemistry and processing · Nuclear Materials and Properties · Radioactive contamination and transfer

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

The University of Manchester’s Dalton Cumbrian Facility, Westlakes Science Park, Moor Row, Cumbria CA24 3HA, UK

Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

Jacobs, Walton House, Birchwood Park, Faraday St., Warrington WA3 6GA, UK

Sellafield Limited, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1PG, UK

Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, UK

ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK

National Nuclear Laboratory, Havelock Road, Derwent Howe, Workington, Cumbria CA14 3YQ, UK

TÜV SÜD Nuclear Technologies, Ennerdale Pavillion, Westlakes Science and Technology Park, Ingwell Dr, Moor Row, Cumbria CA24 3JZ, UK

National Nuclear Laboratory, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1PG, UK

Idaho National Laboratory, 1955 N. Fremont Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USA

Diamond Light Source, Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK

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