Elucidation of unusual nano-effects on dissolution, aggregation and denaturation processes of alpha particles generated by fuel debris retrieval

安全回收和储存核燃料碎片，例如10年前福岛第一核电站事故产生的核燃料碎片，需要了解这些碎片在储存和处理过程中的行为。已经进行了大规模的研究，在更大的尺度上对这些碎片的特征有了了解。然而，已经注意到，这些碎片的处理产生微纳米尺度的颗粒，特别是在1到100纳米尺度。这些颗粒在溶液中，可能存在于由加工产生的气溶胶中，例如用机械或激光手段切割。重要的是，这些尺度上的粒子的行为与更大尺度上的粒子不同。必须理解这种行为上的差异，才能在处理过程中预测它们的行为。该项目汇集了英国和日本的实验专业知识，以及开发和使用数学模型的专业知识，以开发确保安全处理碎片所需的实验和数学工具。实验专长包括颗粒结构和表面特性的表征能力，以及颗粒在微流控通道溶液中的动态行为，包括溶解、变性和聚集/团聚。伦敦大学学院和东京工业大学的实验室资源和专业知识是互补的。伦敦大学学院的数学专业知识也与实验能力很好地结合在一起，这在以前成功的合作项目中得到了证明。

The safe retrieval and storage of nuclear fuel debris, such as that generated by the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant accident 10 years ago, requires an understanding of the behaviour of these debris while being stored and processed. Bulk scale studies have been conducted which have yielded understanding of the characteristics of these debris at the larger scales. However, it has been noted that the processing of these debris generates micro- and nano-scale particles, particularly in the 1 to 100 nm scales. These particles are in solution and may be present in aerosols generated by the processing such as cutting with mechanical or laser means. Importantly, the particles at these scales behave differently than particles at larger scales. This difference in behaviour must be understood to be able to predict their behaviour while being processed. This project brings together experimental expertise, both in the UK and Japan, as well as expertise in the development and use of mathematical modelling to develop the experimental and mathematical tools necessary to ensure safe processing of the debris. The experimental expertise includes characterisation capabilities for structure and surface properties of the particles and for the dynamic behaviour of the particles in solutions in microfluidic channels, including dissolution, denaturation, and aggregation/agglomeration. The resources and expertise of the labs at UCL and Tokyo Institute of Technology are complementary. The mathematical expertise at UCL is also well aligned with the experimental capabilities, demonstrated through previous successful collaborative projects.