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，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，从而了解了这些碎片在较大规模上的特性。然而，已经注意到，这些碎片的处理产生微米和纳米尺度的颗粒，特别是在1至100 nm尺度。这些颗粒在溶液中，并且可能存在于通过加工（例如用机械或激光手段切割）产生的气溶胶中。重要的是，这些尺度下的粒子与更大尺度下的粒子行为不同。这种行为上的差异必须被理解为能够预测它们在被处理时的行为。该项目汇集了联合王国和日本的实验专门知识，以及开发和使用数学建模的专门知识，以开发确保碎片安全处理所需的实验和数学工具。实验专业知识包括表征颗粒的结构和表面特性以及微流体通道中溶液中颗粒的动态行为，包括溶解，变性和聚集/团聚。伦敦大学学院和东京工业大学实验室的资源和专业知识是互补的。UCL的数学专业知识也与实验能力保持一致，这一点通过以前成功的合作项目得到了证明。

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.