graph JAEA
Artistic nuclear power

No.

6April 2015
Japan Atomic Energy Agency

We have synthesized porous silicon carbide ceramic material with pores of 200-500 μm
connected to one another by exposure to radiation (curing process) and high-temperaturefiring (inorganic conversion process) from cellular plastic.
Ceramic Transactions, Vol. 243, (2014), pp. 61-69.

500µm

We have created a precise 3D gear structure using proton microbeam irradiations
with different energy levels in sequence onto the organic film on the Si substrate
before applying chemical etching.
Refer to the portion of the Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute in thearticle http://jolisfukyu.tokai-sc.jaea.go.jp/fukyu/mirai-en/2010/index_set.html

23 MeVH+ micro beam
Beam diameter
1 µm

130 µm50 µm130 µm

50 µm

Extremely thin rays of particles moving at 30,000 km/sec are irradiated to the Teflon plate fromthe center to the peripheral in spiral. Then, the irradiated parts rise forming a shape like soft-serve
ice cream, which become a cone or pyramid as depicted above
http://jolisfukyu.tokai-sc.jaea.go.jp/fukyu/mirai-en/2013/img/honbun/13-19.jpg
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We have createdbrilliant-tone carnations

Anthocyanin pigments in the cells of common carnation petals bond with malic acid. We havesucceeded in creating carnations with anthocyanin pigments that do not bond with malic acid due tomutation caused by ion-beam irradiation. In the petals of these carnations, pigments areagglomerated in the cells, which changes reflection of light and creates a sparkling tone.

4We have revealed the three-dimensional
structure of an enzyme producing
flower pigments
JAEA and National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) jointly
succeeded in determining the three-dimensional structure of an enzyme “Ct3GT-A”
which produces anthocyanin pigments contained in flowers and fruits. The figure in thecenter illustrates how the pigment material is bound to the enzyme included in thepetals of Clitoria ternatea (top right, source: NARO).
https://www.jaea.go.jp/english/news/press/p2015022601/

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Inside the tandem accelerator (5MV) tankof the accelerator mass spectrometer at
the JAEA-AMS-TONO

Picture of “accelerator”, the heart of the accelerator mass
spectrometer which can determine age of hundreds to millions ofyears. Ions are accelerated to the speed of traveling half way
around the earth per second as they pass the accelerator tube
placed at the center of the corona rings aligned in neat rows.
As the ions travel at this high speed, they can be separated fromthe impurity ions and the age can be determined based on thenumber of those ions.
http://www.jaea.go.jp/04/tono/tgc_e/index_e.html

Tandem accelerator
Accelerator mass spectrometerat the JAEA-AMS-TONO66

We are conducting researchusing simulated debris.

JAEA is developing technology of cutting fuel debris present inFukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant using high-powered laser. Before
cutting, the geometry of fuel debris must be exactly determined.
The above picture indicates measurement of 3D geometry of a test piece
which simulates fuel debris using the laser scanner. The bright green partis where the test piece is exposed to the low-powered laser beam.
The figure on the bottom left is the 3D data of the surface obtained by
the scanner.
http://www.jaea.go.jp/english/publication/graph_JAEA/graph_JAEA_03.pdf(p.11, loading may take time)7Full view of “Monju”

The day before the first criticality (April, 1994)

Inside “Monju” reactor

In-vessel transfer machine on the left; the upper part of the reactor
core and simulated core fuel assembly on the right (August, 1991)

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Inside “Monju” reactor

Support pipes at the bottom of the reactor core (1989)

Inside “Monju” reactor

Upper structure of reactor core (around 1990)
View of the upper structure of the reactor core from the bottomof the reactor vessel.

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“Monju” mock-up tester

With “Monju”, life-size mock-ups are created for various tests.
This is the cut model of the sodium circulation pump. (February, 2015)“Monju” mock-up tester

This is the plate attached to the upper part of the core to shut the heat.
(February, 2015)10

Entrance to the underground world

The high-level radioactive waste generated in the process from nuclear power generation is required
to be disposed in a deep underground at the depth of below 300 m by law.
At Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory(MIU), in order to enhance the reliability of technologies
and methods used to investigate the deep underground conditions, we are conducting research on thecharacteristic and strength of rock bed, and the ground water flow and quality by actually excavating
vertical shafts and horizontal tunnels,
The picture is a view looking down the shaft bottom from the mouth of the Main shaft at the MIU. 1111
http://www.jaea.go.jp/04/tono/tgc_e/index_e.html

Measurement of 100 million degrees(Above) In order to produce nuclear fusion energy, which is called “Sun on Earth”, plasma of ultra-hightemperature exceeding 100 million degrees is required. A special laser thermometer as depicted above
must be used to measure the temperature as high as 100 million degrees.
(Photo on the cover) Inside the fusion reactor, small pebbles of beryllium intermetallic compounds
are used to produce tritium to be used as the fuel.
To create these small pebbles, the tip of the rotating rod of beryllium intermetallic compounds ismelted, and by centrifugal ejection small round spheres are produced.
This process just looks like a sparkler (slow-burn firework with sparks).

Ｎｏ６ ｃｏｎｔｅｎｔｓ

graph JAEA

02040505060607081112

Microscopic world
We have created brilliant-tone carnations
We have revealed the three-dimensional
structure of an enzyme producing flower pigments
Inside the tandem accelerator (5MV) tank of theaccelerator mass spectrometer at the JAEA-AMS-TONO
We are conducting research using simulated debris.
Full and inside views of “Monju”
Entrance to the underground world
Measurement of 100 million degrees

April 2015,No. 6
Public Relations Section, Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Funaishikawa 765-1, Tokaimura
Naka County, Ibaraki Prefecture
Postal code: 319-1184
Telephone: 029-282-0749

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