Radiological Science Education in the Context of the Nuclear Industry in Ontario

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Radiological Science Education in the Context of
the Nuclear Industry in Ontario Anthony
Waker University of Ontario Institute of
Technology
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(No Transcript)
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Darlington
Pickering
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Uranium refining, Cameco Plant , Port Hope,
Ontario
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AECL, Chalk River Laboratories)
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National Research Universal Reactor (NRU)
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Nuclear 38gt 50 7lt30
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Excellence in Nuclear Engineering The
University Network of Excellence in Nuclear
Engineering (UNENE) is a Canadian based alliance
of universities, nuclear power utilities,
research and regulatory agencies for the support
and development of nuclear education, research
and development capability in Canadian
universities. UNENE was established as a
not-for-profit corporation in 2002.
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Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science
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UOITs Nuclear Degree Programs

• Four year undergraduate degrees
• Nuclear Engineering (BEng)
• Energy Systems Engineering (BEng)
• Health Physics and Radiation Science (BSc)
• Full-time and Part-time Graduate Degrees
• MASc in Nuclear Engineering (course research)
• MEng in Nuclear Engineering (course project)
• Nuclear Specialist Graduate Diplomas (four
  courses)
• Future plans
• Ph.D. (expected March 2010

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Simulator Lab
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The Outdoor Environmental Radiation Lab!
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Graduate Diplomas in Nuclear Technology (G.Dip.)

• the diploma program offers graduate credentials
  that complements the M.Eng. degree
• (4 courses instead of 10)
• the majority of engineers and scientists hired
  into the nuclear industry need specialist courses
  specific to their jobs
• life-long-learning requires periodic knowledge
  upgrade/update

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Six sub-specialties in Nuclear Technology

• Fuel, Materials and Chemistry
• Reactor Systems
• Operation and Maintenance
• Safety, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
• Health Physics
• Radiological Applications

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• Example Nuclear Specialist Graduate Diploma
• Radiological Applications
• NUCL 5400G Advanced Radiation Science
• NUCL 5410G Physics of Radiation Therapy
• NUCL 5450G Advanced Material Analysis
• NUCL 5460G Industrial Radiography
• NUCL 5470G Nuclear Forensic Analysis
• RADI 4430U Industrial Applications of Radiation
  Techniques
• RADI 4440U Radioisotopes and Radiation Machines

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UOIT/UNENE Industrial Research Chair in Health
Physics and Environmental Safety

• Dr. Anthony Waker
• Dr. Edward Waller
• September 2008

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Research Objectives

• Radiation Measurement in Real-Time (Waker)
• Radiation Field Modeling (Waller)
• Radiation Quality and Risk (Waker)
• Information Management (Waller Waker)

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Real-Time Devices

• Neutron Gamma Monitoring
• Multi-element tissue equivalent proportional
  counter
• Gas Electron Multiplier
• Tritium monitoring
• Ultra thin scintillator and miniature PMT
• gas detectors

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Classical Microdosimetry - principles
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TEPCs available at UOIT for neutron monitoring
research
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METEPC - internal
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METEPC - external
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Neutron spectra produced at McMaster University
Tandetron accelerator

• 7Li(p, n)7Be reaction is used
• 7Li solid metal target
• (Ep)th 1.881 MeV for neutron production
• Neutron yield increases with the beam energy
  above the threshold
• Below threshold 478 keV photons are produced
• Thick target (thickness gt 50 mm)
• Wide energy spectrum
• Thin target (thickness 10-15 mm)
• Narrow energy spectrum
• Accelerator current capability
• Produces proton beams of energy up to 2.5 MeV
• Beam current of up to 400-500 mA.

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Lineal energy spectrum
5 TEPC
METEPC
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Comparison of Sensitivity of METEPC and TEPC
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Radiation Quality and Risk
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Modelling DNA Damage

• Using computer models to calculate single and
  double strand break yields in DNA

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DSB yields for 137Cs, x-rays and tritium
beta-particles

• DSB RBE for x-rays and tritium beta-particles vs
  137Cs is 1.2
• x-rays and tritium beta-particles are more
  effective in producing complex DSB than 137Cs
  (RBE1.3)
• x-rays and tritium beta-particles are equally
  effective in producing the considered DNA damage

Moiseenko, Waker, Hamm Prestwich, Radiat.
Environ. Biophs. 40, , 2001
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Thank you!