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The efficient capture and monitor of radioactive iodine are crucial for managing radioactive nuclear waste and protecting human health. Herein, three metal–organic coordination compound‐mediated supramolecular organic frameworks (MSOFs) are reported with distinct electron‐rich structures for efficient iodine capture with fluorescence response. The electron‐rich adsorption sites play crucial roles for electron‐deficient iodine capture via charge transfer interactions, where π donors contribute greater than nitrogen heteroatom. Among three MSOFs, MSOF‐3 with the maximum numbers of electron‐rich π donors exhibited the highest iodine uptake capacity (3.70 g mmol−1). Prominently, the charge transfer interactions between iodine and MSOFs result in distinct fluorescence response during iodine uptake, establishing a real‐time fluorescence monitoring system. To facilitate the personal health protection toward practical application, a mask with high iodine removal efficiency (99.1%) and real‐time fluorescence response is successfully developed. This study underscores the great promise of electron‐rich fluorescent MSOFs for capture and sensing of radioactive iodine, offering substantial prospects for the advance of protective equipment in the nuclear industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZrSi2–SiC powder was employed as the joining material to join SiC ceramics in this study. The effects of SiC particle (SiCp) content and joining temperature on the phase composition, microstructure, and shear strength of SiC joints were studied and reported for the first time. Research results showed that introduction of SiCp into the interlayer improved the mechanical performance of the joint. When 10 wt.% SiCp was introduced into the interlayer, the optimal shear strength measured of the joint was 116.7 ± 6.7 MPa under the joining condition of 1500°C for 10 min. With the joining temperature increased, the shear strength of the joint gradually increases. When the joint was performed at 1600°C for 10 min, an ultra‐high temperature phase of ZrC was detected in the interlayer, and the shear strength of the joint was 168.1 ± 12.6 MPa. The SiC joint with high mechanical strength might have the potential for application in the field of nuclear industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uranium plays an indispensable role in the sustainable development of nuclear industry, and the recovery of uranium from nuclear wastewater is one way to solve the shortage of uranium resources. However, the recovery of uranium resources from nuclear wastewater remains a challenge due to the interfere of coexisting ions. Herein, ratios of the adsorption group and photocatalytic enrichment group are well‐designed and controllably assembled into the porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) using molecular engineering strategy to realize high uranium recovery efficiency and high resistance to interfering ions. The optimally coordinated multivariate PAF material PAF‐AN2T8‐AO exhibits bifunctions of adsorption and photocatalytic enrichment and thus, achieves high enrichment selectivity and high uranium recovery efficiency of 99% under simulated sunlight irradiation. Compared to PAFs with only adsorption group or photocatalytic group, the uranium recovery capacity of the optimized PAF is enhanced by 1.2 times and 2.3 times, respectively. Mechanistic studies reveal that the product of photocatalytic uranium on PAF‐AN2T8‐AO is air‐stabilized solid crystal metastudtite ((UO2)O2∙2H2O). This work provides a guiding method for designing adsorption‐photocatalytic bifunctional materials and proposes a more environmentally adaptable strategy for dispersed uranium resource recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMany commercial modular/pre-cast types of construction do not satisfy seismic ductility requirements and are not aligned with Relevant Good Practice (RGP) in the nuclear regulated sector. Steel-Concrete (SC) composite construction offers potential benefits to significantly reduce the construction period of the site works and allows mechanical attachments and cable trays/pipes to be welded directly to the steel face. However, due to SC’s relative novelty within the nuclear industry, further research is required to determine the advantages and disadvantages when compared to traditional construction forms. This paper investigates the performance of SC construction, including the bespoke Steel Bricks product, against a large commercial aircraft impact threat relevant to nuclear facilities. The research employs state-of-the-art finite element modelling to generate the aircraft impact threat and to apply the associated impact forces and pressures to the structures. The objective of the research is to complete a performance comparison of the SC and Steel Bricks against a traditional RC structure to determine potential benefits. In addition, sensitivity analysis is employed on the SC and Steel Bricks options to provide further information for future assessment and design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Octadecylamine (ODA) is the most widely used film‐forming amine in the nuclear industry. Its function is to minimize corrosion. In this work, we developed and validated a liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry method that allows the quantification of ODA in the presence of other amines in the secondary system of nuclear power plants operating under all‐volatile treatment chemistry. Sample stabilities greater than 95% were achieved after 1 week of being taken in acetonitrile 1:1. The method showed a high selectivity allowing the measurement of ODA in the presence of other amines. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.0025–0.1025 mg/L. The limit of detection and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 1.8 and 2.2 µg/L, respectively for an injection volume of 3 µL. Lower LOQs can be achieved by increasing the injection volume, making the method applicable even in the first hours and days of treatment. The bias of the method was less than 10% and the relative standard deviation of reproducibility was less than 15%. The sample stabilization was robust and the uncertainty associated with the method was acceptable. The method was applied to a real sample taken after a few years of treatment and a concentration of 0.15 mg/L was measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a round-up of various topics related to project management in the UK. It covers both good and bad news in the field, including the PMI Lifetime Achievement Award given to Professor Andrew Davies and the successful completion of the Farnborough International Airshow and the ongoing Olympic Games. However, it also mentions challenges such as the ongoing inquiry into the Horizon IT system failure and the cancellation of the "Venice of Britain" project. The article also touches on post-election matters, local projects, wildlife projects, and introduces a new section on project management vocabulary. [Extracted from the article]

Two-dimensional graphene is widely used in the nuclear industry, computer simulation of the physical process of graphene irradiation damage can assist the study of microscopic dynamic processes that cannot be directly observed in irradiation experiments. The irradiation-induced microstructural change of 2D graphene sheets was studied using molecular dynamics simulations with a maximum primary knock-on atoms (PKA) energy of 180 keV. The results show that using direct observation, the defects generated during the cascade collision process can be divided into three types according to the generation mechanism: defects by PKA damage (DPD), instantaneous defects by shock wave rippling (DSR), and permanent defects by shock wave overlapping (DSO). The atomic configuration of the final stage consists of various topological polygons; in general, octagons and polygons with fewer than eight sides are bulged, while polygons with more than eight sides are depressed. The largest topological polygon found by the simulation is a 13-sided polygon. In addition to atoms with a coordination number of 3 (originating from the perfect lattice structure of graphene), atoms with coordination numbers of 2 and 4 are produced. Atoms with a coordination number of 4 are generally enclosed by four polygons that have no more than six sides, while atoms with a coordination number of 2 are generally located between two polygons that have at least six sides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality assured analysis of actinide materials is key in support of process qualification and materials accountancy in the nuclear industry. Development of rapid and direct analysis techniques are needed to add flexibility to laboratory based wet chemistry methods. We report development of a direct analysis technique for measurement of solid plutonium samples in a glovebox using High-Resolution Gamma Spectroscopy using CRM-126a as a calibrant. The reported approach requires careful control of measurement geometry but optimizes multiple analytical workflows and reduces the burden for routine assay, isotopes and decay product measurements by providing analytical data on solid samples avoiding wet chemical dissolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite materials are identified to be an alternate solution for the present-day problems pertaining to the reduction of the weight of the components without compromising on their strength and stiffness. The application of the different reinforcements improves the mechanical or thermal properties of the base matrix material related to the application and the heterogeneous nature of the composite material adds flexibility in the design. The manufacturing methods of the composites have also improved in the recent past to ensure that the Reinforcements are properly distributed in the base matrix. Machining a hard composite using conventional techniques is tedious, time-consuming, and will lead to higher tool wear. Therefore, non-conventional machining processes were adopted for the machining of the composite material which can be carried out using inexpensive tooling, The present work aims at optimization of the machining parameters and helps in providing better productivity and cost-effectiveness. The material identified for the optimization was AA6351-SiC-B4C hybrid composites which have widespread application in the nuclear industry. This work aimed at the optimization of the parameters by employing Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for the identification of the optimum parameters. The current was identified to be the major contributing parameter for the machining of the composite for the output parameters considered. The optimum values for all the composites were identified to be at 12A current.100 µs Pulse on time and feed rate of wire at 8m/min irrespective of the percentage variation of B4C. It can be identified that the optimum values identified are independent of the reinforcement percentage and therefore, can be adopted for all the percentages of B4C in the composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic uranium extraction from radioactive nuclear wastewater and seawater is critical for promoting the sustainable advancement of nuclear industry, but the complexity of real-world environments, particularly the occurrence of anoxic and oxygen-enriched states, presents significant challenges to effective uranium extraction. Here, a layered hollow core–shell structure of Bi2O3/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst has been designed and successfully applied for photocatalytic uranium extraction in both aerobic and oxygen-free conditions, and the extraction efficiency of uranium can reach 98.4% and 99.0%, respectively. Moreover, the photocatalyst still has ultra-high extraction efficiency under the influence of pH, inorganic ions, and other factors. The exceptional capability for uranium extraction is on the one hand due to the distinctive hollow core–shell architecture, which furnishes an abundant quantity of active sites. On the other hand, benefiting from the suitable band gap structure brought by the construction of Z-scheme heterojunction, Bi2O3/g-C3N4 exhibits current densities (1.00 µA/cm2) that are 5.26 and 3.85 times greater than Bi2O3 and g-C3N4, respectively, and the directional migration mode of Z-scheme carriers significantly prolongs the lifetime of photogenerated charges (1.53 ns), which separately surpass the pure samples by factors of 5.10 and 3.19. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism and reaction process of photocatalytic uranium extraction are investigated in the presence and absence of oxygen, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal additive manufacturing technology has developed by leaps and bounds in recent years; selective laser melting technology is a major form in metal additive manufacturing, and its application scenarios are numerous. For example, it is involved in many fields including aerospace field, automotive, mechanical processing, and the nuclear industry. At the same time, it also indirectly provides more raw materials for all walks of life in our country. However, during the selective laser melting process, due to the action of high-energy-density lasers, the temperature of most metal powders can reach above the vaporization temperature. Light metals with relatively low vaporization temperatures such as magnesium and zinc have more significant vaporization and other behaviors. At the same time, during the metal vaporization process, a variety of by-products are generated, which seriously affect the forming quality and mechanical properties of the workpiece, resulting in the workpiece quality possibly not reaching the expected target. This paper mainly interprets the metal vaporization behavior in the LPBF process and summarizes the international research progress and suppression methods for vaporization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Researchers have cited the need to account for subordinates in the leadership process, and the leader–team fit paradigm provides a framework for simultaneously considering the characteristics of leaders and those of their subordinate teams. Drawing on extraversion personality theory stipulating extraversion's implications on motivation and communication styles and preferences, we seek to add nuance to the study of a trait that has been widely assumed to exert positive effects in leaders and teams. Integrating theorizing on extraversion and fit, we posit in this research that counterproductive leader and team behaviors will be associated with misfit leader–team pairings in which extraversion incongruence exists (leaders higher in extraversion paired with teams lower in extraversion or leaders lower in extraversion paired with teams higher in extraversion). We test our predictions in a time‐lagged field survey study of leaders and their respective teams in the nuclear power industry, using polynomial regression analyses to find support for hypotheses about the association of leader–team extraversion incongruence and detrimental leader (use of pressure influence tactics) and team (deviance directed at the organization) behaviors. We discuss the implications of our findings for research and practice on leaders, teams, deviance, and extraversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before the Fukushima disaster unfolded in 2011, Japanese government and energy company officials were aware of the warning signs and risks of a potential crisis at the reactor site. They failed to use safety mechanisms or update regulations over time to address the vulnerabilities of the power plants. Because interest groups had led the public to believe the power plants were completely safe, the plants were run with little accountability. Following this disaster, Japan established a new nuclear regulatory commission and nuclear regulatory authority in and implemented new regulatory mechanisms. These efforts have been limited, however, and have shifted the issue from regulation to implementation. The enormous cost of meeting new safety protocols has created new barriers for restarting the power plants under updated regulations, but the energy demands of the country will remain. The tension between managing operational risks and meeting public energy needs will test the public and private sectors' ability to sufficiently revamp the nuclear industry and prevent crises in years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy nuclides like uranium and their decay products are commonly found in nuclear industries and can pose a significant health risk to humans due to their alpha-emitting properties. Traditional alpha detectors require close contact with the contaminated surface, which can be time-consuming, labour-intensive, and put personnel at risk. Remote detection is urgently needed but very challenging. To this end, a candidate detection mechanism is alpha-induced radio-luminescence. This approach uses the emission of photons from radio-ionised excited nitrogen molecules to imply the presence of alpha emitters from a distance. Herein, the use of this phenomenon to remotely image various alpha emitters with unparalleled levels of sensitivity and spatial accuracy is demonstrated. Notably, the system detected a 29 kBq Am-241 source at a distance of 3 m within 10 min. Furthermore, it demonstrated the capability to discern a 29 kBq source positioned 7 cm away from a 3 MBq source at a 2 m distance. Additionally, a 'sandwich' filter structure is described that incorporates an absorptive filter between two interference filters to enhance the ambient light rejection. The testing of the system is described in different lighting environments, including room light and inside a glovebox. This method promises safer and more efficient alpha monitoring, with applications in nuclear forensics, waste management and decommissioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear reactor control is pivotal for the safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants, facilitating the regulation of reactor reactivity. This study introduces an optimized fractional-order proportional-integral-derivative (FOPID) controller tailored for maintaining reactivity levels in nuclear power plants, particularly during load-following operations. The controller adjusts the position of control rod to regulate power output effectively. We enhance FOPID controller's performance using a modification of Planet Optimization Algorithm (POA-M), leveraging the strengths of the Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA) to improve its exploitation capabilities. We evaluate the efficacy of POA-M-FOPID controller against traditional techniques, including POA, AOA, and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). We assess its performance using the Egyptian Testing Research Reactor (ETRR-2) as a case study. Our results demonstrate that the POA-M-FOPID controller outperforms alternative algorithms across various control metrics, exhibiting superior resilience and efficiency. Notably, the utilization of the POA-M-FOPID controller yields remarkable improvements in reactor power performance, achieving significantly reduced settling time (25.27 sec) and maximum overshoot (0.67 %) compared to conventional FOPID controllers incorporating POA, AOA, and PSO methods. These findings underscore the effectiveness of POA-M-FOPID in enhancing nuclear reactor control systems, offering potential benefits for broader nuclear power industry in terms of safety, stability, and operational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nuclear industry is currently facing a significant demand for well-trained personnel. Due to the high market demand, it is essential to raise awareness among new target groups, including high school pupils and (pre-service) STEM teachers, about the potential and opportunities of pursuing a nuclear career. With this in mind, a new strategic partnership has been established under the Erasmus+ project ‘BRAVER’ (Blended and Remote teaching Activities supported by Virtual rEality for Radiation sciences). Within this 2-year project, international staff, and students from 7 partners of the CHERNE (Cooperation of Higher Education on Radiological and Nuclear Engineering) network collaborate with industry, regulatory and research institutes in developing educational virtual tools (VR and virtual online escape rooms) for nuclear sciences and engineering. The project aims to develop blended international training programs that incorporate technical, generic, and networking skills for both students and professors. This initiative can serve as a model for other scientific fields, extending its benefits to students and educators across different disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the nuclear industry has stimulated research in uranium extraction from seawater (UES) by adsorption. However, in practical applications, it's hard to equip various ion concentration measurement instruments for real‐time characterizing uranium adsorption capacity. Given the radioactive property of uranium, if only a Geiger counter is possessed, how it can be utilized to rapidly evaluate uranium adsorption in the adsorbent? This study proposes the Geiger‐Uranium‐Distance model, which establishes correlations among Geiger counter readings, uranium adsorption capacity, and distance, thereby offering a viable approach. While maintaining a constant radius for the adsorbent stack point, during the laboratory phase, the average molecular mass (MA) and the kGg(z) values of the original adsorbent are determined. In practical applications, the surrounding radiation background GE (µSv h−1) is detected. Subsequently, the Geiger counter is vertically positioned above the stacked point of adsorbent after uranium adsorption. Utilizing the measured radiation intensity value G (µSv h−1), and employing the equation G=kGg(z)Qe1+MAQe+GE$G\ = {k}_G\ g(z)\frac{{{Q}_e}}{{1 + {M}_A{Q}_e}} + {G}_E$, the uranium adsorption capacity Qe can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1970sand 19805 marked a significant period of advancement in non-destructivetesting (NDT) techniques, particularly ultrasonic testing (UT) and eddy current testing (ET). Some of the strongest drivers for this were the needs of the civil nuclear power industry. This paper explores the historical developments during this era, highlighting the challenges faced by the nuclear industry and the subsequent innovations that emerged. The paper concentrates on technical achievements of the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in the UK, but also mentions the significant contributions from the improved regulatory framework, validation and certification, and collaborative efforts between industry and research institutions. This paper was written to mark the 60th Annual Conference of the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) and mentions the role of the Institute's Past Presidents where appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this manuscript is to verify the LBB criterion, by carrying out fatigue crack growth (FCG) and fracture tests on SA 312 Type 304LN stainless steel pipes having a part-through crack in the circumferential direction. FCG tests were carried out on pipe specimens under constant amplitude loading in bending till the crack became through-wall and further reached 1/8th of the circumference of the pipe. During the FCG tests, beach marks were introduced by changing the minimum load of the cycle, keeping the maximum load as constant for clear identification of marks on the fracture surface. Subsequent to FCG tests, fracture tests were carried out on the through-wall cracked pipes under displacement control. During the fracture tests, load, load-line displacement, deflection of the pipe at critical locations, Crack Mouth Opening displacement (CMOD), surface crack length (circumferential) and angular rotation of the pipe with respect to the supports were monitored. Stress intensity factor (SIF) was determined by using API Code, RCC-MR and R6 approaches. SIF range and number of cycles predicted using the three analytical approaches are found to be very close to each other with a variation of ± 10% and hence any of the approaches can be used for the prediction of SIF range. Results of the study are helpful in LBB justification and for ensuring the structural integrity of piping components used in the nuclear industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a brief update on project management activities in the UK. It mentions a wildlife recovery project in south Cornwall that has received funding to protect rare species and habitats. The article also discusses changes in professional society news, including the rebranding of the Association for Project Management and the release of research on the contribution of the project profession to the UK economy. Additionally, it highlights new contracts in the sustainability sector, such as a collaboration between BAE Systems and Cummins to develop hybrid electric drivetrains for transit vehicles. The article concludes with a story about a wind turbine project in Southport that was shelved due to competing development plans. [Extracted from the article]

The nuclear power industry in India plays a significant role in meeting the country's energy demands and fostering economic growth. This research study explores the need for research in the context of India's nuclear power industry, specifically focusing on Madhya Pradesh (MP). The aim is to investigate the potential of nuclear energy as a clean and sustainable resource for economic development in the region. The study considers the interplay between economic growth, resource reduction, and energy consumption within the state. Highlights of the article importance of nuclear energy in India's overall energy mix and its potential for driving economic progress. The Indian nuclear power industry encompasses various sectors, including industrial, transmission, and commercial. Nuclear energy is recognized as a clean and vital economic resource, capable of providing substantial benefits to the national economy. The focus of this research is MP, the largest state in terms of nuclear power generation in India. The state's economic growth depends on several factors, including energy consumption. To achieve significant improvements in resource reduction and sustainable development, it is crucial to examine the role of nuclear power within the state's energy sector. The research study presented in this article addresses the electricity reform of the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board (MPSEB). By evaluating the infrastructure and recent discussions surrounding the Chutka Nuclear Power Plant project, which aims to support the energy sector in the Mandla region, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of the potential economic benefits of nuclear power in MP. The findings from this research will provide valuable insights into the relationship between nuclear energy, economic growth, and sustainable development in the Indian context. It will help policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers in formulating strategies and policies that promote the effective utilization of nuclear power as a catalyst for economic progress while ensuring environmental sustainability. This study ultimately contributes to the knowledge base required for harnessing the full potential of nuclear energy in India's energy landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the historical development of the Brazilian nuclear regulatory environment and its implications for corruption in the nuclear energy sector. It explores Brazil's transition of nuclear energy policies from a military-centric approach to civilian perspectives following the country's re-democratization in the 1980s. The article highlights the importance of nuclear energy diversification for stabilization and low-carbon energy generation in Brazil. It discusses the challenges and vulnerabilities of the Brazilian nuclear industry, focusing on the corruption scandal of 2015, revealing improper payments, mismanagement, bribery, and money laundering in constructing the Angra 3 nuclear power plant. The study proposes improvements in the corporate governance of the Brazilian sector to minimize potential corruption cases in future contracts. It analyses the conflict of interest among regulatory institutions, industry agents, and the corporate environment. This article also compares the Brazilian nuclear regulatory framework with international regulations and discusses strategies for combating corruption in nuclear power generation. The concluding remarks emphasize the need for institutional reforms to safeguard and develop the Brazilian nuclear industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory authorities in safety‐critical industries typically seek to influence the safety culture of the organizations they oversee. However, we know little about how regulatory authorities achieve this influence (e.g., what roles are adopted, relationship characteristics) and, more generally, about how external actors shape an organization's safety culture. Using a qualitative design in the nuclear industry, we developed our conceptual and empirical understanding of the roles through which a regulator influences the safety culture of their regulated organizations and what characteristics within the regulator–regulatee relationship facilitate positive safety culture developments. Data were collected through interviews with inspectors from a nuclear regulator and employees of regulated nuclear organizations, and from an inspection of regulatory documents. The findings identified that the regulator was perceived to hold three complementary roles for safety culture development: being an enforcer, working as a partner (providing opportunities for licenseholders to improve beyond compliance), and acting as an advisor to regulated organizations. Analysis also showed that effective relationships in these roles, and which were central to influencing safety culture, were perceived to be characterized by professionalism, transparency, and balance between formal enforcement and informal exchange. Theoretical implications to advance conceptualizations of safety culture as well as practical implications for risk regulators are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]