graph JAEA

“What we're doing now”
Female researchers working for JAEA

2No.

December
2013

Japan Atomic Energy Agency1

I’m engaged in a research project that investigates how minerals and water behave in ahigh temperature and pressure environment of the earth’s interior, which we simulate in
our laboratory. This photo shows myself preparing for a high-pressure experiment using
the engineering materials diffractometer “TAKUMI” installed in the Materials and Life
Science Experimental Facility (MLF) of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. Ahigh-pressure neutron scattering apparatus (PLANET) was newly installed in MLF last FY,
and it is expected that research on the deep internals of the earth will be facilitated by
the use of neutron in the future.

http://yagi.issp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/shingakujutsu/en/index.html
http://wwwapr.kansai.jaea.go.jp/srrc/en/High_Pressure_Science_Group.html
Asami Sano, High-Density Material Research Group, Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Quantum Beam Science Directorate2

When a neutron collides with an atomic nucleus, the nucleus may at times
take in the neutron and turn into a heavier atomic nucleus. This behavior iscalled neutron capture. At this instance gamma rays are generated. We areinvestigating the likelihood of neutron capture by measuring the gamma rays
with high accuracy. This investigation provides us with the basic data important
for the R&D for innovative nuclear reactors and nuclear waste disposal. This
photo shows myself making preparations for an experiment by wiring the signal
cables of the detector for measuring the energy of gamma rays, which is a partof the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) inthe Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) of the Japan Proton
Accelerator Research Complex. http://nsec.jaea.go.jp/en_index.html
http://j-parc.jp/researcher/MatLife/en/instrumentation/images/ANNRI.jpg
Kaoru Y. Hara, Research group for Applied Nuclear Physics, JAEA Nuclear
Science and Engineering Directorate

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The fast breeder reactor “Monju” uses sodium as a coolant. At the Oarai Research &Development Center in Ibaraki Prefecture, a large-scale sodium test loop is utilized toinvestigate hydraulics and heat transfer behaviors in a sodium heat transport system.
This photo shows myself adjusting the sodium flow rate of the boundary conditions
before carrying out an experiment.
Ayako Ono, Thermal-hydraulic Reserch Group, Advanced Nuclear System Researchand Development Directorate4In order to investigate how (or whether or not) the radioactive cesium present in
the forest moves, I have been measuring the radioactive cesium contained in the riverwater, fallen leaves, soil, water which seeps through soil etc. in the forest upstream of
the river flowing through Kitaibaraki City. This photo shows myself fixing a column forcollecting radioactive cesium contained in the river water.
http://fukushima.jaea.go.jp/english/topics/pdf/topics-fukushima034e.pdf
Mariko Atarashi-Andoh, Research Group for Environmental Science, Nuclear Scienceand Engineering Directorate, JAEA
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Lichens have a property to take in and retain radioactive cesium. For thisreason, it can be expected that we will know how much cesium present in thesurrounding environment has been reduced since the time of the accident bycomparing the cesium content of lichens with cesium present in thesurrounding environment. This photo shows myself looking for lichens that aresuitable for such a comparison.
http://fukushima.jaea.go.jp/english/topics/pdf/topics-fukushima014e.pdf
http://fukushima.jaea.go.jp/english/topics/pdf/topics-fukushima016e.pdf
Terumi Dohi, Environmental Dynamics Research Group, Fukushima
Environmental Safety Center. Headquarters of Fukushima Partnership
Operations

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In our section, we analyze the radioactivity in the environmental samples such as
airborne dusts, agricultural and stockbreeding products, seawater, seabed sediments
and marine products based on the environmental radiation monitoring around theTokai Reprocessing Plant. In addition, we investigate the detailed distribution ofradionuclides in seabed sediments off Ibaraki coast after the Fukushima Daiichi
Nuclear Power Plant accident to know the influence on the contamination caused by
the accident.
In this photo, I perform the plutonium analysis in the environmental samples.
Mika Nagaoka, Environmental Protection Section, Radiation Protection Department,
JAEA Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories

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We have been investigated microbiology and organic substances in the subsurface
environment to evaluate their effects on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste
in geological formations. This photo shows myself collecting samples from theexcavated surface of tunnel wall at 350 meters depth of the Horonobe UndergroundResearch Center for analyzing what kind of organics and microorganisms are present
in the rocks. The vertical surface behind me is an excavated surface called tunnel
face.
http://www.jaea.go.jp/english/04/horonobe/index.html
Yuki Amano, Radionuclide Migration Research Group, JAEA Geological Isolation
Research and Development Directorate

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I am engaged in physical property/spectroscopic research using an 8GeV
synchrotron radiation facility （SPring-8）.
Akane Agui, Kansai Photon Science Institute (KPSI)

Editorial note
The number of staff working for JAEA is currently about 3,900, and about 50 ofthese people are female researchers. In spite of the small number, they are working
on research activities in a great variety of fields including radiation control,
quantum engineering, nuclear fusion, fast reactor, condensed matter physics etc.
What should we do to sensitively grasp and respond to the changes in the world?
In order to answer this question, we hope to turn JAEA into an attractive
organization for more female staff to play an active role in a wider variety of fields.
Public Relations Department

9graph JAEA
01 ・ 10Investigate the structure of ice existing in the universe

02

Investigate the inner structure of the earth03

Investigate the properties of the atomic nucleus

04

Investigate the behavior of sodium

05

Investigate cesium in the forest

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Investigate cesium

07

Analyze radioactivity

08

Investigate the underground09

Editorial note

JAEA participates in a joint research project using the research nuclear reactor HFIR at Oak
Ridge National Laboratory of US Department of Energy. The blue object behind the people on
the cover page and the one in the photo on the upper right of this page is the device called aWide Angle Neutron Diffractometer (WAND), which is capable of acquiring information suchas atomic position from the interaction between an atomic nucleus and neutrons. We aim toreveal the structure and properties of special ice in the planets etc. of the solar system andthe universe by means of this device.
Yurina Sekine, Condensed Matter Research Group, JAEA Quantum Beam Science Directorategraph JAEA
December 2013 No. 2
Japan Atomic Energy Agency Public Relations
Department
Post code 319-1184, Muramatsu 4-49, Tokai Village, NakaCounty, Ibaraki Prefecture
Telephone: (029)282-0749

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