MODELING OF NEUTRON RADIATION INTERACTION PROCESSES AND DAMAGE IN THE CELLS SATURATED WITH BORON CARBIDE NANOPARTICLES.

In the present study we perform modelling of neutron radiation interaction processes and damage in the cells saturated with boron carbide (B₄C) nanoparticles (NPs). The Monte Carlo N-Particle Code MCNP6 has been used for neutron transport calculation, irradiation parameters optimization and energy deposition in the cell and reaction rates calculations. The obtained reaction rates for (¹⁰B(n,α)7Li) indicates which ¹⁰B concentration in the cell are needed for desirable effect. The experiments of B₄C NPs uptake in the L929 cells were carried out to ascertain the maximal tolerable concentration of NPs in cells. The concentration of boron in the cells has been measured by ICP-MS technique. The conclusions on optimized neutron irradiation parameters and BNCT possibility using saturated ¹⁰B concentration in the cells have been drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]