Understanding the chemistry of ceramic materials under irradiation

放射性废物的安全处置是一个必须解决的问题。首先，英国现有的废物（约340万立方米，其中1,100立方米是高放射性废物-不包括冷战遗留的1500吨钚）。第二，任何未来的核能发展都需要一种在技术上可以接受的核废料处理方法。政府已接纳放射性废物管理委员会的建议，即应将高放射性废物弃置于设有地质屏障的处置库。(In联合王国将长寿命的中放射性废物和高放射性废物与乏燃料一起共同处置是首选方案）。放射性元素本身必须被困在一个矩阵中，在中等高温下长时间的重粒子轰击中不会分解。这种基质必须能够容纳高浓度的放射性物质，抵抗辐射损害，并且在数千年内不会将放射性物质释放到环境中。此外，它必须易于制作和成型。我们需要了解放射性元素如何被纳入可能的宿主，以及这些宿主在受损时如何变化。特别是，我们需要了解辐射的影响如何影响它们是否会溶解在水中。如果要找到合适的宿主，了解这种基本化学是必不可少的。这一提议将结合计算机模拟技术，为在合适的宿主中固定放射性废物的问题提供新的见解。我们将开发评估损害程度和类型的方法，将其与放射性物质从宿主中逃逸和宿主本身溶解联系起来。这将使我们能够评估固定放射性废物的可能宿主。

The safe disposal of radioactive waste is a problem that must be solved . First, there is the existing legacy of waste in the UK (about 3.4 million cubicmetres of which 1,100 cubic metres is high level waste - not counting the 1500 tonnes of Pu left over from the Cold War). Second, any future development of nuclear power requires a publically acceptable method of disposing of nuclear waste. The CoRWM (Committee on Radioactive Waste Management) recommendation that high level waste should be disposed of in a repository with geological barriers has been accepted by the Government. (In the UK co-disposal of long-lived intermediate level waste and high level waste together with spent fuel is the preferred option). The radioactive elements themselves must be trapped in a matrix that will not disintegrate during prolonged heavy particle bombardment at moderately high temperatures. This matrix must be able to accommodate high concentrations of radioactive species, resist radiation damage and not release the radioactive species to the environment for many thousands of years. Also, it must be easy to make and shape. We need information on how radioactive elements are incorporated into possible hosts, and how these hosts change when they are damaged. In particular, we need to understand how the effects of radiation affects whether they will dissolve in water. Understanding this basic chemistry is essential if suitable hosts are to be found. This proposal will provide new insights into the problem of immobilising radioactive waste in suitable hosts using a combination of computer simulation techniques. We will develop methods to evaluate the level and type of damage, link this to escape of radioactive species from the host and dissolution of the host itself. This will enable us to evaluate possible hosts for immobilising radioactive waste.