Foreword

Full text: The Institute's of Atomic Energy POLATOM main topic is safe energy generation with particular emphasis on nuclear energy as the most environment friendly technology. This has been expanded into the realm of hazards analysis and its applications to conventional plants. After Polish Government decision of 2005 on the use of nuclear power for electricity generation, the Institute in cooperation with few universities started training of students in the nuclear safety and radiation protection. The Institute takes part in preparation of expertise reports as well as research and education programs crucial for the implementation of nuclear power plants in Poland. The ionising radiation protection issues furnish the basis of our health physics research. Material science studies performed mainly with non-destructive nuclear techniques like neutron scattering and Moessbauer spectroscopy or X-rays form an important part of our research. The Institute of Atomic Energy POLATOM operates the multifunctional nuclear research reactor MARIA. In 2009 the reactor was successfully operated for 4270 hours with fuel elements of 36% enrichment in 235U. No radiological accidents, failures or breakdowns due to the fuel behaviour were recorded in 2009, confirming the good quality of the fuel elements. Two new types of AREVA fuel elements with 19% enrichment and permitting higher burnup have been tested. The main technological facilities of the MARIA reactor for radioactive isotopes production, neutron doping of silicon and minerals properties modification were widely employed. The preparations for irradiation of 235U targets for 99Mo production conforming to the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors programme have been accomplished. The Reactor Facility for Neutron Transmutation Doping of Silicon Single Crystals was used in doping of single crystalline and multicrystalline silicon wafers for research purposes. One of our main goals is to provide the scientific community of Poland an easy access to source of neutrons. This involves widest possible applications of MARIA reactor in research and technology. The beams of thermal neutrons are used in neutron scattering and radiography studies of condensed matter structures and processes occurring at various levels of length scales. About 60 papers describing the results of our research were published in 2009. Some of the results were accounted for in 136 IAE Reports as the preliminary step before publication. Several new results obtained in 2009 on water migration in particulate porous media, properties of ion beams modified materials as well as extensive use of synchrotron topography in crystal defects studies should be mentioned. The recombination methods for assessment of mixed radiation doses at various facilities were mastered. The studies on models and software tools for emergency management were carried out within the EU Framework projects by the Centre of Excellence Management of Health and Environmental Hazards MANHAZ. The research project '' Analysis of the thorium application in nuclear power reactors '' (THORIUM PROJECT) established within the Innovative Economy Operational Program has been performed in cooperation with Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology. The project on testing and implementation of radioisotopes for neuroendocrine tumour therapy has been accepted for realization within the Innovative Economy Operational Program. Our institute is open for the community. We are proud that above 5000 visitors came to enjoy our presentations and lectures on nuclear techniques developed on the basis of nuclear research reactor MARIA during 2009. Several students from Polish universities obtained student summer training in IAE laboratories in 2009. (author)