[en] HANARO has been actively utilized since attaining first criticality in 1995. In 2009, the cold neutron source was installed inside the reflector tank. The main utilization fields of HANARO are neutron beam applications, nuclear fuel and material test, radioisotope production, neutron activation analysis and neutron transmutation doping. After the Fukushima accident, HANARO had been requested to evaluate the seismic margin for the reactor’s main components, and the seismic margin assessment led to the reinforcement of HANARO’s wall. In December 2017, HANARO started operating after overcoming many issues for about a 3 year-shutdown. For the period of long-term shutdown, the circumstances surrounding HANARO, such as research reactor regulation and new research reactor construction project, has been drastically changed. To meet the expectations of HANARO to produce world-class science and to respond to the rapidly changing environment, a strategic plan for HANARO was prepared, and 4 missions were re-established. They are 1) advancement of neutron science and technology, 2) not only meeting but also creating the needs of the industry, 3) contributions to the national society issues, and 4) safe and stable operation of the facility. To achieve the missions, all members involved in the HANARO shared their same perception that the stable operation of HANARO is the most important. HANARO is trying hard to give the confidence for its sustainability and excellence through the various activities. (author)

[en] The Dalat Nuclear Research Reactor (DNRR) with the nominal power of 500 kW was reconstructed and upgraded from the USA 250-kW TRIGA Mark-II reactor built in early 1960s. The renovated reactor was put into operation on 20th March 1984. It was designed for the purposes of radioisotope production (RI), neutron activation analysis (NAA), basic and applied researches, and nuclear education and training. During the last 35 years of operation, the DNRR was efficiently utilized for producing many kinds of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine centres and other users in industry, agriculture, hydrology and scientific research; developing a combination of nuclear analysis techniques (INAA, RNAA, PGNAA) and physic-chemical methods for quantitative analysis of about 70 elements and constituents in various samples; carrying out experiments on the reactor horizontal beam tubes for nuclear data measurement, neutron radiography and nuclear structure study; and establishing nuclear training and education programmes for human resource development. In recent years, there have been several lessons learned in exploiting the effectiveness of DNRR which has been drawn from the results of application deployment, in mainstreaming and transfer of nuclear science and technology to national socioeconomic development programmes. This paper presents the results of operation and utilization of the DNRR. Beside this, the current status of safety, operation and utilization of the reactor is given and some aspects for improvement of commercial products and services of the DNRR are also discussed. Lessons learned on good practices and limitations in the operation and exploitation of the DNRR are also mentioned in detail in this paper. (author)

[en] Image analysis and spectroscopic method of evaluation are applied on Gamma auto radiographs (GAR) to assess the effect of plutonium concentration in (U,Pu)O₂ mixed oxide (MOX) fuel samples on the characteristics of the irradiated film. Results of the two different methods of GAR analysis are compared with results of the earlier studies using alpha irradiated solid state nuclear track detectors using Pu bearing fuel samples with low as well as high plutonium content. Theoretical simulations using Monte Carlo method of radiation transport were carried out for comprehension of the process of GAR under ideal conditions and results were applied for understanding the relative degree of heterogeneity in Pu bearing fuel samples and compared with that from experimental methods of analysis. (author)

[en] We used an ultrasound-enhanced scintillation proximity assay to accurately determine the levels of complement decay-accelerating factor (CD55) for the early detection and assessment of the progression of pleural metastatic lung cancer. We found that the expression of CD55 in metastatic tumor tissues is 2.8 times higher than that in the serum at the early stages. We also found that the concentration of CD55 in serum decreases with the progression of metastasis. These results suggest that CD55 is a potential biomarker for the prediction of pleural metastatic lung cancer. (author)

[en] Embedded components are one of the current trends in electronics, allowing to produce more compact devices with increased functionality. Such components can be applied, among others, in fabrication devices used in the Internet-of-Things technology or in special industries. Therefore, their reliability plays a key role due to safety requirements and high deployment costs. Herein, the thermal reliability of a system of sensors embedded into a printed circuit board (PCB) is examined. The samples produced are exposed to temperature cycling, -40 °C/+105 °C, or high temperature/high humidity, 85 °C/85% relative humidity (RH). The quality of solder joints is evaluated on the basis of X-ray inspection and cross sections before and after the exposure mentioned earlier. The tests show no damage to the solder joints of the samples subjected to reliability testing in high-temperature/high-humidity conditions, irrespective of the solder alloy used. Cracks appear after 500 cycles, -40 °C/+105 °C, in samples soldered with Sn99Cu1 and after 1000 temperature cycles in both Sn99Cu1 and LFM-48S (SnAg3.0Cu0.5) solders. The presented results are used for efficient embedding of electronic components into PCBs. Consequently, more space is gained for other components and the size of the electronic products is minimized. (© 2020 Wiley‐VCH GmbH)

[en] The JMTR operation was once stopped in order to be checked & reviewed in August 2006, and the refurbishment and restart of the JMTR was finally determined by the national discussion. The refurbishment was started in FY2007 and was finished in March 2011. However, on March 11, 2011, the Great-Eastern-Japan- Earthquake occurred, and functional tests before the JMTR restart were delayed. On the other hand, based on the safety assessments considering the 2011 earthquake new regulatory requirements were established on December 18, 2013 by the NRA. The new regulatory requirements include the satisfaction of integrities for the updated earthquake forces, tsunami, the consideration of natural phenomena, and the management of consideration in the Beyond Design Basis Accidents (BDBA) to protect fuel damage and to mitigate impact of the accidents. Analyses related to the new regulatory requirements have intensively been performed timely, and an application to the NRA had been submitted in March 27, 2015. After submission of the application, a seismic resistance assessment of the JMTR reactor building was carried out by assuming the standard earthquake ground motion of 810 gal. As a result, it was found that seismic reinforcement work for reactor building and reactor pool wall were required. As a result, it became clear that at least 7 years of reinforcement work and a cost of about 40 billion yen are required for seismic reinforcement and to meet new regulatory standards. At the same time, it was made clear that high availability such as 8 operation cycles per year as originally planned cannot be expected due to aging problem. For this reason, JAEA positioned the JMTR as a decommissioning facility in the mid- and long-term plan of JAEA announced in April 2017. JAEA started to study the construction of a new material testing reactor. The examination results will be compiled by the end of FY2019. (author)

[en] Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia) established in 1972 is a premier nuclear research institute in Malaysia. The major function of Nuklear Malaysia is leading research and development in nuclear technology along with commercialisation of nuclear technology. Its operation is guided by the Malaysian Nuclear Agency Strategic Plan 2012-2020. Nuklear Malaysia hosts various major facilities and laboratories including a TRIGA PUSPATI research reactor (RTP), Gamma Green House, Electron Beam Facility and Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory. In addition, Malaysia also has a long experience in safely operating a National Waste Management Centre since 1984. At the international level, Nuklear Malaysia is recognised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Collaborating Centre (ICC) in Non-Destructive Testing and IAEA-ICC for Radiation Processing of Natural Polymers and Nanomaterials. Malaysia has also hosted 15 IAEA Postgraduate Educational Courses (PGEC) in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Source Safety since 2004. This paper aims at presenting opportunities and challenges faced by Nuklear Malaysia to enhance its relevance and sustainability. (author)

[en] Thailand Nuclear Technology Service Centre (NTSC) is a nuclear service centre under the supervision of Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), established in 2006. NTSC is responsible for several types of nuclear technology services, for example, analysis of samples’ compositions by using nuclear techniques, nuclear and radiation survey metres’ calibration, non-destructive testing, and to certify radiation levels of food products for exporters. NTSC has continuously maintained a high level of service quality and customer satisfaction which leads to achieving the highest growth among TINT’s service centres. Its revenue has grown more than 600% within 10 years (from $196,000 to $1.5 million). All of NTSC’s revenue is contributed back to TINT which later is distributed into TINT’s fringe benefits, incentive regimes, research instruments, and R&D projects. The circulation of this revenue, therefore, could back up TINT to secure its fundamental expenses in both organisational development and in R&D. Thus, the following questions arose, what have NTSC and its staff done to become successful? In addition, what could TINT learn from them if TINT desires to adopt NTSC management practices to other centres? Good service quality, a certified standard of services, a reasonable price, and quick response to customers’ queries are central strengths and means for differentiating NTSC from other organisations. These strengths create additional perceived value to customers and build up a recognisable brand image. Additionally, long-term direction, continuous development, i.e. in products, services and processes, knowledge on customer behaviour by a comprehensive database, NTSC’s management commitment, and strong teamwork with trust could be the factors influencing the success of the outcomes. The report concludes that technology service management becomes more an integrative discipline between nuclear technical knowledge, and business and management. It seems both tangible and intangible resources drive the value creation in this service organisation. The study of key drivers and their functions at each unit could be beneficial for the institute to accomplish and sustain the service organisation strategically. (author)

[en] This article comments how experts in metallurgy and non destructive testing discussed whether welds of main steam pipes of the Flamanville EPR had to be made redone after many non-compliancies were noticed. It recalls how this issue emerged in 2017 and has been processed. This fault appeared to be due to the choice of the filler metal. As these pipes are classified 'failure excluded', a very rigorous approach had to be adopted which resulted in decisions by EDF while informing the ASN. The IRSN provided three full-time experts in metallurgy and ultrasound controls. These controls revealed a bad execution of some of the welds. The IRSN wanted all the welds to be redone. Technical solutions are thus still to be proposed which will be analysed by the IRSN

[en] In this paper we present a study on the mechanical properties of nanodiamond enhanced tungsten strengthened aluminium alloy 7075, stored for 28 months under different conditions. One of the samples was stored in terrestrial conditions and the other sample was mounted on the outside of the International Space Station for the same period. The purpose of the experiment is to determine tensile strength, Young’s modulus and Poisson's ratio using different testing procedures and to compare the results with those obtained using the ultrasonic volumetric method Key words: aluminium and alloys, nanodiamond, ultrasonic volumetric method, tensile strength, outer space structures