Element Specific Smart Media for Fast, Low Cost Radionuclide Analyses

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Radioactive analyses are currently very challenging for mixtures and/or unknowns. Lowered analysis time, and therefore cost, of radioactive samples is extremely important, as demonstrated by Fukushima effluent sampling. A step-change technological advance in this area of analysis is urgently required. The technological quality of a system applicable to a suite of radioactive analytes has major relevance since these are key radionuclide targets for power plants entering decommissioning.Our aim is to develop a fast and low cost approach to analysing low level waste (LLW) samples containing a mixture of radionuclide contaminants and exploiting existing scintillation counting infrastructure. We will develop novel scintillants that selectively target radionuclides in a mobile LLW aqueous phase. The approach will require minimal work-up and manipulation of aqueous LLW, and dramatically reduce the volumes of organic solvent typically used in commercial scintillant cocktails, thus reducing the cost and time of analysis, and overall environmental impact. This methodology will also allow parallel, rapid analyses of different radionuclide targets by using a mixture of different scintillant beads for each targeted analyte.The benefit of faster analyses for the wider suite of radionuclides could therefore be realised not only in the area of nuclear remediation, but also in accident scenarios, contingency, resilience and homeland security. The project has arisen from an unmet and urgent need within the (global) nuclear industry for rapid and selective analyses, thus creating the pathway to impact through our immediate partnership with NDA, NNL and our wider engagement with the international nuclear industry and its stakeholders.