• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.2444-2451
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• 2024

This work demonstrates a new sol-gel approach for synthesizing PbO₂-doped zirconia using zircon mineral precursors. The streamlined methodology enables straightforward fabrication of the doped zirconia composites. Comprehensive materials characterization was performed using XRD, SEM, and TEM techniques to analyze the crystal structure, microstructure, and morphology. Quantitative analysis of the XRD data provided insights into the nanoscale crystallite sizes achieved, along with their relationship to lattice imperfections. Furthermore, the gamma-ray shielding capacity for the PbO₂-doped zirconia samples was estimated by the Monte Carlo simulation, which proves an increase in the gamma ray shielding properties by raising the Pb concentration. The linear attenuation coefficient increased between 0.467 and 0.499 cm^-1 (at 0.662 MeV) by increasing the Pb content between 11 and 21 wt%. By increasing the Pb content to 21 wt%, the synthesized composites' lead equivalent thickness reaches 2.49 cm. The radiation shielding properties for the synthesized composites revealed a remarkable performance against low and intermediate γ-ray photons, with radiation shielding capacity of 37.3 % and 21.4 % at 0.662 MeV and 2.506 MeV, respectively. As a result, the developed composites can be employed as an alternative shielding material in hospitals and radioactive zones.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.439-443
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• 2015

A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) is an electromechanical equipment that provides linear movement for the control rods to control the nuclear reactivity in a nuclear reactor. A rod position indication system (RPIS) detects the control rod's position. To enhance the measurement accuracy of the system, a magnetostrictive type sensor with capability of generating operation limiting signals would be adapted instead of a conventional RPIS for a CRDM. An RPIS was modelled for a numerical analysis with the permanent magnets at the stationary limit positions and magnetic shielding plates with a moving permanent magnet. The performance analysis of the RPIS were conducted, and the results were discussed here.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.162-163
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• 2015

A borosilicate glass was powdered to incorporation into the cement for the purpose of improving the neutron shielding performance of concrete. The particle size of the borosilicate glass powder was prepared by a similar to that of cement. 50×50×50mm size of cube specimens were measured a compressive strength. As a result, compressive strength of 10% borosilicate glass powder replaced specimens were improved than that of plain specimens.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.647-653
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• 2019

A comprehensive study of photon interaction features has been made for some alloys containing Pd and Ag content to evaluate its possible use as alternative gamma radiations shielding material. The mass attenuation coefficient (${\mu}/{\rho}$) of the present alloys was measured at various photon energies between 81 keV - 1333 keV utilizing HPGe detector. The measured ${\mu}/{\rho}$ values were compared to those of theoretical and computational (MCNPX code) results. The results exhibited that the ${\mu}/{\rho}$ values of the studied alloys are in same line with results of WinXCOM software and MCNPX code results at all energies. Moreover, Pd75/Ag25 alloy sample has the maximum radiation protection efficiency (about 53% at 81 keV) and lowest half value layer, which shows that Pd75/Ag25 has superior gamma radiation shielding performance among the compared other alloys.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2009

We have investigated the characteristics of a superconductive Pb shield for hemispherical shape and plate to improving signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) of biomagnetism. We measured the shielding factor for the position of helmet shape Pb and for changing the distance from Pb surface. To make a uniform magnetic field, a $1.5m{\times}1.5m$ set of the helmholtz coils activated at several frequencies. The shielding factor of hemispherical shape Pb was from 20 to 57 dB and of Pb plate was about $6{\sim}26dB$ as a function of distance from the lead surface. The shielding factor was rapidly reduced as increasing the distance from Pb surface. The white noise of superconductive quantum interference device(SQUID) with a superconductive shield was about $12fT/Hz^{1/2}$ at 1 Hz, $7fT/Hz^{1/2}$ at 100 Hz. The white noise was more increased about two times than conventional SQUID system without Pb shielding. An auditory signal was measured by first order gradiometer and magnetometer with Pb superconductive shield and compared the SNR. The SQUID system with Pb shield had better performance at low frequency noise level.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.53-54
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• 2011

The facilities producing the nuclear energy chosen for resolving the recent global energy problem have been increasingly constructed, and hence more frequent durability tests on radiation shielding concrete are required due to NPP(Nuclear Power Plant) life extension and increase of radioactive waste repositories. Bulk dry density is one of the critical factors ensuring the durability and performance of the radiation shielding concrete because the design of the radiation shielding reinforced concrete structures for NPPs is based on the bulk dry density of the concrete. Bulk density of unconsolidated shielding concrete can be calculated utilizing a test assuring to satisfy the bulk dry density, or existing credible data set. This study evaluated correlation between bulk density and bulk dry density of the concrete used for Korean NPPs (y=1.0913X-0.2458) and developed a correlation expression considering standard deviation of bulk dry density (y=1.0913X-0.3358).

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.773-774
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• 2016

In this study, we perform the weight reduction and miniaturization of the shielding element that is applied for gamma-ray detectors for imaging of gamma-ray source. Through previous studies, we implemented a lead-based shielding element that represents the shielding effectiveness and performance of commercially available gamma-ray imaging apparatus similar to the shielding body. In this paper, we designed a tungsten-based shield for weight reduction and miniaturization than lead-based shield. We performed the MCNP simulation for shield design and then we obtained the results of reducing the weight of the 17% and 51% of the volume.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.441-447
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• 2023

Lead(Pb), which is currently mainly used for shielding purposes in the medical radiation, has excellent radiation shielding functions, but is continuously exposed to radiation directly or indirectly due to the harmfulness of lead itself to the human body and the inconvenience caused by its heavy weight. Research on shielding materials that are human-friendly, lightweight, and convenient to use that can block risks and replace lead is continuously being conducted. In this study, based on the commonly used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and the fabric material used in actual radiation protective clothing, a multi-layer thin film was realized through sputtering and vacuum deposition of bismuth, tungsten, and tin, which are metal materials that can shield radiation. Thus, a shielding film was produced and its applicability as a radiation shielding material was evaluated. The radiation shielding film was manufactured by establishing the optimized conditions for each shielding material while controlling the applied voltage, roll driving speed, and gas supply amount to manufacture the shielding film. The adhesion between the parent material and the shielding metal thin film was confirmed by Cross-cut 100/100, and the stability of the thin film was confirmed through a hot water test for 1 hour to measure the change of the thin film over time. The shielding performance of the finally realized shielding film was measured by the Korea association for radiation application (KARA), and the test conditions (inverse wide beam, tube voltage 50 kV, half layer 1.828 mmAl) were set to obtain an attenuation ratio of 16.4 (initial value 0.300 mGy/s, measured value 0.018 mGy/s) and damping ratio 4.31 (initial value 0.300 mGy/s, measured value 0.069 mGy/s) were obtained. by securing process efficiency for future commercialization, light and shielding films and fabrics were used to lay the foundation for the application of films to radiation protective clothing or construction materials with shielding functions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.1734-1741
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• 2023

This work presents the synthesis and preparation of a new glass system described by the equation of (70-x) B₂O₃-5TeO₂ -20SrCO₃-5ZnO -xBi₂O₃, x = 0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 mol. %, using the melt quenching technique at a melting temperature of 1100 ℃. The photon-shielding characteristics mainly the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of the prepared glass samples were evaluated using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation N-particle transport code (MCNP-5) at gamma-ray energy extended from 59 keV to 1408 keV emitted by the radioisotopes Am-241, Ba-133, Cs-137, Co-60, Na-22, and Eu-152. Furthermore, we observed that the Bi₂O₃ content of the glasses had a significantly stronger impact on the LAC at 59 and 356 keV. The study of the lead equivalent thickness shows that the performance of fabricated glass sample with 15 mol.% of Bi₂O₃ is four times less than the performance of pure lead at low gamma photon energy while it is enhanced and became two times lower the perforce of pure lead at high energy. Therefore, the fabricated glasses special sample with 15 mol.% of Bi₂O₃ has good shielding properties in low, intermediate, and high energy intervals.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2016

Background: The scattered photons cause reduction of the contrast of radiographic image and it results in the degradation of the quality of the image. In order to acquire better quality image, an anti-scattering x-ray gird should be equipped in radiography system. Materials and Methods: The X-ray anti-scattering grid of the inclined type based on the hybrid concept for that of parallel and focused type was tested by MCNP code. The MCNPX 2.7.0 was used for the simulation based test. The geometry for the test was based on the IEC 60627 which was an international standard for diagnostic X-ray imaging equipment-Characteristics of general purpose and mammographic anti-scatter grids. Results and Discussion: The performance of grids with four inclined shielding material types was compared with that of the parallel type. The grid with completely tapered type the best performance where there were little performance difference according to the degree of inclination. Conclusion: It was shown that the grid of inclined type had better performance than that of parallel one.