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Japan's Monju Fast Breeder Reactor Sodium Coolant Overseas Transport Planned to Start in Fiscal 2028

Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology plans to include 23.7 billion yen in its fiscal 2027 budget request to advance decommissioning work for the Monju fast breeder reactor in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, including preparation costs for overseas transport of sodium coolant. The amount represents an increase of 4.9 billion yen over the previous fiscal year's budget, including supplementary budgets. Under the plan, overseas transport of sodium coolant from the Monju reactor will begin in fiscal 2028. Unlike conventional light water reactors, Monju uses metallic sodium rather than water as a coolant to remove heat from the reactor. Sodium has a boiling point of approximately 880 degrees Celsius and does not easily pressurize at high temperatures, but it can burn upon contact with water or air, making handling and management highly difficult...

2026-09-11

National Major Science and Technology Infrastructure Project "High-Intensity Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facility" Passes Special Financial and Asset Acceptance

From September 6 to 7, the Bureau of Finance and Assets and the Bureau of Science and Technology Basic Capacity of the Chinese Academy of Sciences organized a financial expert group and an asset expert group to carry out special financial and asset acceptance work on the National Major Science and Technology Infrastructure—the High-Intensity Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) project. The expert group consisted of 13 experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, research institutes, and universities. Figure: Acceptance meeting site. The expert group listened to reports on the project's construction, financial asset management, and investment completion. The financial acceptance expert group reviewed materials such as the financial summary report and the completion financial final accounts audit report, conducted on-site inspections of final account statements and account books, and spot-checked contracts and accounting vouchers, followed by on-site inquiries and discussions on the financial investment completion status. The asset acceptance expert group reviewed materials including the asset summary report and procurement ledgers, conducted on-site spot checks of process equipment for the High-Intensity Heavy-Ion Accelerator, experimental terminal systems, facility auxiliary equipment, and public supporting systems, and held on-site inquiries and discussions on asset delivery status.

2026-09-09

State Nuclear Uranium Industry Achieves 100% Localization of Electron Linear Accelerator Development

Recently, the first fully domestically produced 10 MeV/20 kW electron linear accelerator developed by the Technology Center of State Nuclear Uranium Industry (Nuclear Power Tongchuang) completed its 20 kW beam extraction test, with performance meeting design specifications. This marks a significant breakthrough for State Nuclear Uranium Industry in the field of electron accelerator development and elevates its capability in developing nuclear technology application equipment to a new level. Main unit of the 10MeV/20kW electron irradiation accelerator As a versatile high-energy electron linear accelerator, the 10MeV/20kW electron linear accelerator is widely used in multiple sectors of the national economy, including medical device sterilization, traditional Chinese medicine pest control, food preservation, and polymer material modification. During the current process of engineering application and industrial promotion, its core components such as klystrons, waveguide windows, and water loads have a relatively low localization rate, with some models still relying on imports, facing challenges such as long procurement cycles, high costs, and difficulties in spare parts support. The R&D team of State Nuclear Uranium Industry has focused on industry pain points, adhered to a problem-oriented approach, overcome difficulties, efficiently resolved various technical challenges, and successfully achieved 100% localization of this model of electron linear accelerator with significantly reduced overall machine costs, breaking the reliance on imported core components. As a key R&D project for differentiated layout in the nuclear technology industry, State Nuclear Uranium Industry will continue to improve its processes and standards systems, accelerate the application of research achievements in typical scenarios, bridge the chain from R&D to industrial application, and promote the steady development of the nuclear technology industry.

2026-09-05

China-led International Standard for Estimating RBE-Weighted Absorbed Dose from Acute Exposure Approved for Initiation

According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the international standard ISO25600 "Estimation Method for RBE (Relative Biological Effectiveness)-Weighted Absorbed Dose from Acute Exposure," led by the China Institute of Atomic Energy, has been officially approved for initiation. This is a general methodology international standard led by China in the global field of nuclear and radiation emergency dose assessment. It can provide important support for the rapid estimation and evaluation of acute doses, decision-making on emergency protective actions, international notification and communication, as well as emergency training, exercises, and scientific research, helping to strengthen the scientific rigor and timeliness of global nuclear emergency response, and enhance response capability and standardization. Nuclear and radiation emergency response is a vital guarantee for the sustained and healthy development of the nuclear energy industry...

2026-08-31

First experiments at Russia's SKIF microfocus station to target "invisible" gold deposits and extraterrestrial particle research

On August 19, 2026, the microfocus station, one of the first-stage experimental stations of the Russian SKIF Collective Use Center, announced its initial experimental directions. The station will utilize synchrotron radiation-based analytical techniques to study the elemental composition and structural characteristics of objects, serving fields such as geology, geophysics, microelectronics, and materials science. At the SKIF opening ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected the microfocus station. According to the presentation, the station's first experiments will focus on the exploration and extraction of hard-to-recover gold, platinum, rare earth elements, and oil reserves. Ore sample research is a critical step in the development of new mineral deposits. By determining the elemental composition of rocks, researchers can...

2026-08-31

Construction of Radiotherapy Room at Sao San Tun Hospital in Taunggyi, Myanmar, Approximately 80% Complete

On August 30, 2026, the Chief Minister of Shan State, Myanmar, U Sai Tin Soe, accompanied by relevant officials, inspected the construction of the radiotherapy room at Sao San Tun Hospital in Taunggyi. The radiotherapy room is a single-story reinforced concrete building with a floor area of 95 feet × 52 feet, and the project is currently approximately 80% complete. During the inspection, officials from the building department reported on the project's construction progress, and the Chief Minister gave instructions on subsequent work and coordinated the necessary support. On the same day, the Chief Minister and his delegation also inspected the site for a planned five-story expansion building at the hospital and discussed related construction arrangements. Once completed, the radiotherapy room will be used to enhance the hospital's medical service capacity for radiotherapy-related care. ...

2026-08-31

China Isotope & Radiation Plans to Invest RMB 400 Million in Zhejiang Nuclear Technology Application Industry Fund

China Isotope & Radiation Corporation announced on August 28 that its board of directors has approved entering into a partnership agreement with CNNC, CNNC Capital, CNNC Fund, National Industry Investment Fund, Zhejiang Venture Capital Guidance Fund, Jiaxing Changchuang Industrial Investment, and Haiyan County State-owned Capital Investment to jointly establish CNNC (Zhejiang) Nuclear Technology Application Industry Investment Fund Partnership (Limited Partnership). According to the announcement, the fund will be registered in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, with partners intending to subscribe to a total capital contribution of RMB 3 billion. Among them, China Isotope & Radiation plans to contribute RMB 400 million from internal resources, accounting for 13.33% of the fund's total subscribed capital; CNNC Fund, as the general partner, plans to contribute RMB 30 million, accounting for 1%; the National...

2026-08-29

Russia's SKIF Synchrotron First Scientific User Competition Expected to Launch in Second Half of 2027

The competition to select the first research teams for the Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF) synchrotron in Russia is planned for the second half of 2027. Valery Bukhtiyarov, Director of the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stated at the Technoprom-2026 forum held in Novosibirsk that the first open competition will be launched in the second half of 2027. The institute is responsible for commissioning the construction of this large-scale scientific facility. Bukhtiyarov noted that SKIF is scheduled to receive synchrotron radiation and conduct its first experiments in the autumn. Construction of the facility was completed in June 2026, with an opening ceremony held in August 2026. Once operational, SKIF will use synchrotron radiation to help...

2026-08-27

Jamaica Launches Graduate Training Program in Radiation Protection and Safety, Poised to Become a Regional Center of Excellence in the Caribbean

Jamaica's newly established graduate training program in radiation protection and safety is being viewed as an important platform for enhancing nuclear technology safety capabilities in the Caribbean region. Chris Ardouin, an International Atomic Energy Agency expert and Senior Scientist and Technical Manager of Public Health and Forensic Science at the National Radiation Science Centre of New Zealand, stated that the program demonstrates Jamaica's potential to become a regional center of excellence for radiation protection and safety training. The six-month program, implemented as the first graduate education course in radiation protection and safety under the framework of the University of the West Indies' short-term academic resources, is currently training 12 professionals from seven CARICOM member states, with a focus on enhancing regional...

2026-08-26

Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches First Orbitrap Mass Spectrometers for Isotope Ratio Analysis

Thermo Fisher Scientific recently launched the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Isora mass spectrometer and Orbitrap Isora Pro mass spectrometer in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. The company stated that these are its first Orbitrap instruments equipped with a dedicated isotope ratio analysis mode. The two mass spectrometers launched this time will form an integrated workflow together with the Thermo Scientific Vanquish Duo ultra-high performance liquid chromatography system and the new Isotope Discoverer software, providing molecular-level isotope ratio analysis capabilities to laboratories and researchers worldwide. Isotope ratio analysis can help researchers determine the source of compounds and their formation processes by measuring natural variations in isotopes within samples, helping...

2026-08-26

FSG to Provide Electrical and Control Systems Support for Oklo's Groves Isotope Test Reactor Project

American Facility Solutions Group, LLC (FSG) announced on August 25 that it will support Oklo's Groves Isotope Test Reactor project, providing electrical, instrumentation, control, testing, and verification-related work. According to reports, the Groves Isotope Test Reactor achieved first criticality on August 5, 2026, reaching a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. The reactor is the fifth reactor to achieve this milestone among projects authorized under the U.S. Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program, and the first to reach criticality on private land under the program. The low-power test reactor is designed to lay the foundation for domestic commercial isotope production...

2026-08-26

Portal Inspection and Screening System Tested at Chernyshevskoye Border Crossing on Russia-Lithuania Border

On August 20, the customs authorities of the Kaliningrad region of Russia, together with the equipment manufacturer, conducted functional tests of the portal inspection and screening system at the Chernyshevskoye border crossing on the Russia-Lithuania border, focusing on verifying equipment operational status and vehicle inspection capabilities. According to reports, among all Russian border crossings in the Kaliningrad region, only the Chernyshevskoye international road crossing is currently equipped with portal inspection and screening devices. A total of two systems have been installed at this crossing, used respectively for inspecting vehicles entering Russia and those departing, with both units installed and put into operation in December 2025. The inspection and demonstration were carried out with the participation of government regulatory authorities and supplier representatives. The relevant equipment is planned to be...

2026-08-22

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Awards OSI Systems $85 Million Contract for Mobile X-Ray Inspection Systems

On August 19, 2026, OSI Systems announced that its Security division has been awarded a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with a ceiling value of approximately $85 million. Under the contract arrangement, OSI Systems will provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection with van-mounted mobile Rapiscan X-ray inspection systems for baggage and parcel screening. The company stated that the initial task order under the contract is valued at approximately $21 million, covering the delivery of mobile inspection systems and training for relevant operators. Ajay Mehra, President and CEO of OSI Systems, stated that this multi-year contract reflects the company's commitment to providing technology support for border security and demonstrates the capabilities of its mobile inspection product portfolio. The company will continue to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to deploy mobile screening platforms and provide customs and border officers with the necessary equipment and training.

2026-08-21

Indonesia Develops Cobalt-60 Gamma Irradiation Technology to Boost Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil

The Indonesian Nuclear Technology Polytechnic, under the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), has recently successfully developed cobalt-60 (Co-60) gamma irradiation technology and applied it to increase biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. The study aims to explore more efficient pathways for renewable energy production while providing a new solution for the resource utilization of waste cooking oil. Dita Ariyanti, a lecturer at the Indonesian Nuclear Technology Polytechnic, stated that with continued growth in energy consumption and declining fossil fuel reserves, the need to develop alternative energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. For Indonesia, rising energy demand and dependence on fossil fuels also pose challenges to greenhouse gas emission reduction. Waste cooking oil was previously mostly treated as household waste, and improper disposal could pollute the environment; converting it into biodiesel can reduce waste while obtaining renewable energy.

2026-08-19

Korea's COSMAX Partners with Pohang Accelerator Laboratory to Use Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator for Cosmetics R&D

COSMAX, a global cosmetics ODM company, announced on the 18th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL) in Korea to conduct cosmetics R&D using advanced scientific and technological infrastructure such as the synchrotron radiation accelerator. At the MOU signing ceremony held at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, COSMAX Group Chairman Lee Kyung-soo (left) poses with PAL Director Kim Jae-young. / Photo provided by COSMAX. According to reports, the Pohang Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator (PLS-II) operated by the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory generates light more than 10 billion times brighter than sunlight, enabling atomic-scale analysis of nanoscale material structures. Currently, the facility has been used for microstructural research across multiple industrial fields, including new drugs, semiconductors, and new materials.

2026-08-18