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Japan's PF Launches Quantum Multi-Beam Experiments, Achieving Simultaneous Hard and Soft X-ray Measurements

The Photon Factory, a synchrotron radiation facility at the Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) in Japan, has recently launched collaborative experiments on the development and research multi-purpose beamlines BL-11A and BL-11B, achieving simultaneous irradiation of the same sample with hard and soft X-rays at the same position. The research results will be published in the international academic journal *Review of Scientific Instruments*. The Photon Factory uses electrons moving at near-light speed to generate high-brightness X-rays, known as synchrotron radiation, for studying material structures and properties. Among these, hard X-rays are better suited for observing the internal structure of materials, while soft X-rays are ideal for analyzing material surfaces and electronic states. Previously, at synchrotron radiation facilities, the two types of X-rays typically had to...

2026-08-31

Finland's 2025 Environmental Radiation Monitoring Shows No Harmful Effects from Nuclear Power Plant Operations

The 2025 environmental radiation monitoring results released recently by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK) show that radioactive substance levels in the Finnish environment generally remained low, and the operation of the Loviisa and Olkiluoto nuclear power plants has not caused harmful radiation impacts on the public or the environment. STUK continuously tracks Finland's radiation situation through its environmental radiation monitoring program. The monitoring includes continuous measurement of external radiation, as well as monitoring of radioactive substances in air, radioactive fallout, water bodies, food, and the human body, with the aim of promptly detecting changes in radiation levels and confirming the safety of the living environment. Finland's automatic external radiation monitoring network covers essentially the entire country. In 2025, 255 monitoring...

2026-08-31

India and Uzbekistan Agree to Establish Long-Term Uranium Supply Arrangement

India and Uzbekistan held leader-level talks in Tashkent on August 30, deciding to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and agreeing to establish an arrangement for long-term uranium supply from Uzbekistan to India, strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of civil nuclear energy. Following talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the two sides would establish a long-term uranium supply arrangement. The specific scale, duration, and implementation mechanism of the arrangement have not yet been announced. India has in recent years continued to diversify its nuclear fuel sources, and Uzbekistan is an important uranium resource country in Central Asia...

2026-08-31

Environmental Monitoring Laboratory of Russia's Kola NPP Completes Interlaboratory Comparison Tests

The production environmental monitoring laboratory of the environmental protection department at Russia's Kola Nuclear Power Plant (Kola NPP) has recently completed interlaboratory comparison tests and received the corresponding certificate and conclusion documents for participation in the proficiency testing program. The comparison tests demonstrated that the laboratory's chemical analysis results meet the requirements and that the relevant measurement data are reliable. In June 2026, the Kola NPP production environmental monitoring laboratory received wastewater and natural water samples. Laboratory personnel were required to determine the concentrations of 8 target indicators within permissible error limits. The test results showed that the laboratory completed the specified tasks and the measurement results met the requirements. Natalya Smirnova, head of the Kola NPP production environmental monitoring laboratory...

2026-08-30

Radiology Partners to Acquire Everlight, Expanding International Teleradiology Services

U.S. radiology services provider Radiology Partners has agreed to acquire Everlight Radiology, planning to expand its teleradiology diagnostic services into markets including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Founded in 2006, Everlight employs a "follow-the-sun" teleradiology service model, leveraging radiologists across different time zones to provide continuous imaging diagnostic coverage. The company currently has over 800 radiologists, operates in more than 40 countries, and completes over 2.5 million imaging examination reports annually for more than 340 client institutions. Radiology Partners is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, USA,...

2026-08-30

Japan to Establish New Decontamination Base in Okuma, Fukushima

Japan's Ministry of the Environment has decided to establish a new work base in Okuma Town, Fukushima Prefecture, in the next fiscal year to coordinate decontamination and house demolition work in difficult-to-return zones following the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)'s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, aiming to accelerate environmental recovery in the affected areas. Within seven municipalities surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, approximately 309 square kilometers have been designated as difficult-to-return zones. These areas remain under strict control, with restrictions on residential habitation and entry, and evacuation orders remain in effect. Within the difficult-to-return zones, the Japanese government has established "specified return residential areas" and plans to advance decontamination, house demolition, and other measures based on residents' intentions to return. The proposed new base in Okuma Town will be responsible for on-site management and project coordination, with approximately 30 staff members expected to be assigned, and the relevant branch office currently located in Hirono Town will be relocated to Okuma Town.

2026-08-30

Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Units 3 and 4 Trench Civil Engineering Completes Milestone Phase

On August 27, with the final cubic meter of concrete poured into place, the B1 and B6 sections of the GS and GB trench civil engineering works for Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Units 3 and 4, undertaken by CNNC Huachen, along with the No. 4 overflow well, successfully completed their milestone phase. This phase involved multi-disciplinary cross-operations spanning civil works, installation, electrical, and piping, characterized by complex construction conditions and significant coordination challenges. Among these, Section B1, as the project's main critical path, featured narrow working areas, difficult access for large equipment, and intensive vertical and horizontal cross-operations among multiple units. Seven days before commencement, the project department established a dedicated planning team to verify site conditions, material routes, and cross-operation scopes drawing by drawing, identifying key difficulties such as foundation pouring, equipment positioning, and material supply, and conducting multiple rounds of discussions to optimize the construction plan. The construction period coincided with the rainy season, and Section B1, situated in a low-lying area, faced a high risk of rainwater backflow. The project department implemented measures including full-coverage rain shelters over the base slab, water-retaining curbs at passage openings, and round-the-clock pumping in two shifts, securing dry working areas amid accumulated water; simultaneously, discarded waterproof membranes were collected and reused to cover rebar cages and scaffolding, preventing corrosion and slippery conditions. On-site daily meetings were held, management personnel maintained 24-hour duty, and verbal confirmation with signed handovers was practiced, ensuring issues were resolved the same day, with no plan failures, rain-related stoppages, or process disconnections throughout the period. Facing the immense scheduling pressure from multi-process cross-operations, the project department established a dynamic scheduling system. In terms of manpower loading, fixed posts and personnel quotas were implemented, with zonal responsibility and flexible reinforcement; during peak periods, core work crews were consolidated and work areas were precisely delineated. For machinery, a dynamic scheduling ledger was established, with tower cranes, excavators, and lifting equipment staggered and cross-utilized. Material coordination was also optimized through advance stocking, zoned storage, dedicated management, and emergency replenishment. During the campaign, when the transport of main materials was obstructed, the project department organized management staff and labor crews to manually carry rebar, pipes, and auxiliary materials point-to-point to the working areas, effectively safeguarding project progress. Currently, the main structure construction of the GS and GB trenches by the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Project Department has achieved phased results, with the GB trench completing 74 sections cumulatively, an 82% completion rate, and the GS trench exceeding 1,160 meters, accounting for 72% of the total length. The company will further strengthen construction organization, optimize construction logic, and continue to advance the remaining sections of the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Project Department, fully ensuring high-quality performance of the contracted projects.

2026-08-29

Lufeng Nuclear Power Achieves Outstanding Results in First Provincial Quality-Trustworthy Team Selection

On August 19, the Quality Assurance Department of Lufeng Nuclear Power led multiple teams from the company's Mechanical Department Valve and Pipe Section, Hualong Operation Department Shift 1, Electrical Department Power Distribution Section, Technical Support Department Specification Control Section, Production Service Department Installation Management Section, and Quality Assurance Department Engineering Quality Assurance Section to participate in the 12th Quality-Trustworthy Team Construction Experience Exchange Conference organized by the Guangdong Quality Association. This selection covered a wide scope with stringent review criteria, bringing together outstanding teams from various industries across the province to compete on the same platform. Lufeng Nuclear Power made its debut at this provincial-level quality event, and all participating teams stood out among numerous competitors by leveraging solid foundational management, standardized process control, and well-established improvement mechanisms, achieving impressive overall results.

2026-08-29

NRC Approves Environmental Assessment for Small Modular Reactor at Texas Industrial Site

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently completed the environmental assessment of applications submitted by Long Mott Energy and X-energy, issuing a finding of no significant impact. This conclusion marks a key milestone in the construction permit review process for the advanced reactor project planned for Seadrift, Texas. The project plans to build a 320-megawatt small modular reactor at Dow's industrial manufacturing site in Seadrift to provide electricity and high-temperature industrial steam to the facility. Long Mott Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow, and the project intends to use X-energy's advanced reactor technology to serve the energy needs of industrial facilities along the Texas Gulf Coast.

2026-08-28

Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant Releases Annual Environmental Report

Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant recently presented its annual environmental report to local residents in the city of Kurchatov. This year's presentation adopted a cycling event format for the first time, with participants including local residents, city Duma deputies, and relevant personnel, held in the area of Warm Coast Park. The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is part of Rosenergoatom, the power generation division operator of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom. The plant stated that the event route was specially designed to allow participants to learn about environmental protection data during the ride and directly observe the environmental conditions in the area surrounding the plant. Kursk...

2026-08-28

South Korea Launches Standard Design Approval Review for i-SMR

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of South Korea is set to initiate a safety review of the standard design approval application for the innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR). This project is part of the small modular reactor research and development program led by the South Korean government. The NSSC stated on August 28 that, at its 13th meeting of 2026 held on August 27, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) reported on the review plan for the i-SMR standard design approval application. KINS had previously conducted a suitability review of the standard design approval application documents submitted in February of this year and determined that the documents met the conditions for entering the safety review phase, thereby establishing a subsequent review plan. The standard design approval system is designed to...

2026-08-28

Argonne National Laboratory Measures Dust Resuspension Behavior in Radioactive Contamination Scenarios

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory recently conducted field experiments to simulate the movement of dust particles on concrete surfaces under radioactive contamination scenarios, measuring the effects of pedestrian activity and vehicle traffic on dust dispersion. The study was published in the journal Health Physics and received support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate and the Radiological/Nuclear Emergency Response and Recovery Research and Development Program. To control humidity and temperature and prevent dust generation, pedestrian tests were conducted inside a tent. In the image, researchers can be seen entering the tent on the left. Particle counters are placed on a white table, with their hoses extending into the tent to collect air samples. (Image courtesy of Ar...

2026-08-27

NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams Visits Kairos Power to Review SMR Technology

Kairos Power, a U.S. small modular reactor developer, recently announced that Brandon Williams, Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), has visited the company's Manufacturing Development Campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to review its readiness for advanced reactor deployment. According to Kairos Power, Williams and his delegation toured the campus's advanced manufacturing, fuel development, molten salt production, modular systems, and large-scale hardware verification facilities. The campus serves as a key base for the company's advancement of fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor technology and also supports the engineering validation and manufacturing capability development required for future reactor deployment.

2026-08-27

Kansai Electric Power Revises Nuclear Emergency Disaster Prevention Business Plans for Three Nuclear Power Plants

Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. announced on August 27 that it has revised the nuclear operator disaster prevention business plans for the Mihama, Takahama, and Oi nuclear power plants in accordance with Japan's Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, and filed them with the Prime Minister and the Nuclear Regulation Authority on the same day. The revisions pertain to nuclear emergency disaster prevention arrangements at the three nuclear power plants. Kansai Electric Power stated that it will continue to ensure the safety of the nuclear power plants and enhance nuclear emergency disaster prevention measures in accordance with the relevant plans. According to the documents, the consultation period prior to the revisions was from May 13 to July 30, 2026, totaling 79 days. The consultation parties included the local governments where the nuclear power plants are located and related neighboring local governments.

2026-08-27

Ikata Nuclear Power Station Unit 3 in Japan briefly deviated from operational limits due to abnormal signals in protection system instrumentation

Shikoku Electric Power Co. reported on August 27 that abnormal signals from safety protection system instrumentation appeared in the central control room of Ikata Nuclear Power Station Unit 3, which was in normal operation, indicating that one channel of the overtemperature ΔT related instrumentation was unreliable. The operator determined at 22:10 on August 26 that the unit had deviated from the operational limits stipulated in the Reactor Facility Security Regulations. On-site confirmation showed that the unreliable signal originated from 1 of the 4 channels of the overtemperature ΔT protection function. Overtemperature ΔT is one of the reactor automatic trip elements, used to protect in-core fuel; its limit value is calculated based on parameters such as reactor power, pressurizer pressure, and...

2026-08-27