Advanced Technologies and Applications of Neutron Activation Analysis


Book Description

This book highlights the advanced technologies and applications of neutron activation analysis (NAA). It discusses the latest developments influencing the performance and utility of different NAA techniques across wide areas of applications: nuclear technology, industry, medicine, clinical investigations, biology, geochemistry, soil contamination, waste management, diet, lifestyle and health, cosmology, archeology, forensic science, etc. The overall goal of the book is to promote innovation and development of NAA techniques, technologies, and nuclear culture by presenting high-quality chapters with numerous results at both national and international levels. The book will serve as a source for graduate and postgraduate students in nuclear sciences and applications and nuclear analytical techniques, experienced practitioners who want to implement or use other varieties of NAA, professional technicians and analysts, users of NAA, and other stakeholders who wish to better understand NAA techniques.







Neutron Generators for Analytical Purposes


Book Description

This publication addresses recent developments in neutron generator (NG) technology. It presents information on compact instruments with high neutron yield to be used for neutron activation analysis (NAA) and prompt gamma neutron activation analysis in combination with high count rate spectrometers. Traditional NGs have been shown to be effective for applications including borehole logging, homeland security, nuclear medicine and the on-line analysis of aluminium, coal and cement. Pulsed fast thermal neutron analysis, as well as tagged and timed neutron analysis, are additional techniques which can be applied using NG. Furthermore, NG can effectively be used for elemental analysis and is also effective for analysis of hidden materials by neutron radiography. Useful guidelines for developing NG based research laboratories are also provided in this publication.




Geology and Medicine


Book Description

The development of the geological and medical sciences shows overlap through numerous historical threads, some of which are investigated here by an international authorship of geologists, historians and medical professionals. Some of the medical men considered here are the relatively well known Steno, Parkinson, William Hunter and Peter Duncan, as well as several more obscure individuals such as Sperling, Hodges, Lemoine, Siqués and a number of Italians. Their work included foundational geological studies, aspects of hydrogeology and the nature of fossils. The therapeutic use of geological materials has been practised since ancient times. A suite of magico-medicinal stones, some purportedly harvested from the bodies of fabulous animals, have ancient folklore roots and were worn as protective amulets and incorporated into medicines. Medicinal earths were credited with wide-ranging medicinal properties. Geology and Medicine: Historical Connections will be of particular interest to Earth scientists, medical personnel, historians of science and the general reader with an interest in science.










Analytical Applications of Nuclear Techniques


Book Description

The IAEA has compiled this overview of current applications of nuclear analytical techniques (NATs). The contributions included in this book describe a variety of nuclear techniques and applications, such as those in the fields of environment and health, industrial processes, non-destructive testing, forensic and archaeological investigations, cosmochemistry and method validation. The techniques covered range from classical instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), its radiochemical derivative RNAA, in-beam methods such as prompt y neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), to X ray fluorescence (XRF) and proton induced X ray emission (PIXE) spectroscopy. Isotopic techniques to investigate element behaviour in biology and medicine, and also to validate other non-nuclear analytical techniques, are described. Destructive and non-destructiveapproaches are presented, along with their use to investigate very small and very large samples, archaeological samples and extraterrestrial samples. Several nuclear analytical applications in industry are described that have considerable socioeconomic impact wherever they can be implemented.




14 MeV Neutrons


Book Description

Despite the often difficult and time-consuming effort of performing experiments with fast (14 MeV) neutrons, these neutrons can offer special insight into nucleus and other materials because of the absence of charge. 14 MeV Neutrons: Physics and Applications explores fast neutrons in basic science and applications to problems in medicine, the envir




The Oxford Handbook of Archaeological Ceramic Analysis


Book Description

This volume draws together topics and methodologies essential for the socio-cultural, mineralogical, and geochemical analysis of archaeological ceramic, one of the most complex and ubiquitous archaeomaterials in the archaeological record. It provides an invaluable resource for archaeologists, anthropologists, and archaeological materials scientists.




A Closer Look at Neutrons in Nuclear and Radiological Engineering


Book Description

"The neutron is an unstable nucleon outside the atomic nucleus; its mass is approximately 0.0014 times higher than the proton's mass and it plays an essential role in the atomic nucleus's stability. The neutron does not have an electric charge and interacts with matter causing numerous reactions. The above properties make the neutron essential in several areas. In nuclear power production, for instance, the neutron combined with the moderator plays a critical role. This book is a collection of works related to the neutron and its applications. Each chapter of this book's content is self-contained and is derived from the experience and research carried out by the authors. The book describes each aspect of neutrons ranging from their essential characteristics to their applications. Chapters of this book concern topics including the description of neutron characteristics, the challenge of neutron dosimetry, the ambient dose equivalent due to cosmic neutrons, the use of neutrons as an analytical tool through neutron activation analysis, the absorbed dose response of natural minerals which also have thermoluminescent features, and the use of neutrons in medicine to treat cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. The book also discusses topics such as neutron attenuation by super-alloys, neutron production in radiotherapy with electrons, the use of neutrons to detect explosives, and cloud computing technology for neutron dosimetry and spectrometry. This book would be handy for scientists, engineers, researchers, students, and practitioners in neutron studies and applications"--