Newsletter Secretariat:
Radiochemistry Group
Analytical Division
The Royal Society of Chemistry
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1V 0BN
United Kingdom.
RADIOCHEMISTRY IN EUROPE
THE NEWSLETTER of the
DIVISION of NUCLEAR and RADIOCHEMISTRY
Issue 43–March 2009
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Welcome to the forty-third newsletter for Radiochemists in Europe. The WebPages of the Division can be found at
www.euchems.org/Divisions/NRC. From the home page the “Future Events”, updated each month or when fresh
information is received, and Radiochemistry newsletters are readily available. Useful Links have also been established,
including the Homepage of the Radiochemistry Group of RSC. If any other group would like their website to be
linked, please send me the details.
The aims and objectives of the division as given in our Procedures and Practices are given below.
This is your newsletter for radiochemists in Europe. Articles, reports on meetings, laboratory profiles, courses,
positions vacant, redundant equipment and any other item you feel may be of interest to other radiochemists are still
urgently required. Also the early announcement of dates for meetings and conferences is important to avoid the
possibility of organising two at the same time on similar topics within Europe. See the 10year Planning Calendar on the
website. Details of any courses would also be of interest to extend the existing database.
May I remind readers to inform me of any change to their e-mail address?
Providing that information is available it is intended to compile this newsletter 4 times per year in March, June,
September, and December/January. Please send information in good time for inclusion that is by the end of the month
prior to publication. Editor: Dr. Tony Ware (e-mail:[email protected])
--------------- ¤ --------------DIVISION of NUCLEAR and RADIOCHEMISTRY.
Mission and Objectives
The Division of Nuclear and Radiochemistry is a network of societies and their scientists working in nuclear and
radiochemistry throughout Europe and aims to have close links to related institutions all over the world. A broad
communicative basis is achieved by cooperation with relevant supranational bodies such as IUPAC and IAEA as well
as with journals and newsletters. It endeavours to establish and maintain the highest quality standards in science and
research. NRC accepts a role to harmonise education and training in all aspects of nuclear and radiochemistry and to
offer a means of communication and collaboration between scientists working in the fields.
Objectives of the NRC are:
●To contribute to the advancement of nuclear and radiochemistry in Europe;
●To identify important areas in science, technology and other human activities relevant to nuclear and
radiochemistry, and to stimulate actions in such fields;
●To address aspects of importance in or to nuclear and radiochemistry which need regulation, harmonisation,
standardisation or codification, and to make recommendations as appropriate;
●To encourage cooperation between analytical chemists whether working in academia, industry or governance, in
particular within the countries of the member societies of EuCheMS
●To foster close contacts and cooperation of NRC with the European Commission and other relevant institutions;
●To safeguard the interests of the nuclear and radiochemistry community, especially concerning recognition and
legitimisation in matters of regulation and legislation as well as decision making in economic and in social areas;
●To assist and strengthen quality in teaching and training of nuclear and radiochemistry in education and in daily
practice;
●To support the transfer and exchange of knowledge, equipment and personnel in the areas of NRC expertise both
within Europe and in non-European countries;
●To hold a European Conference at least every other year;
●To assume a general promotion and coordination function for other conferences and courses in Europe related to
NRC activities;
●To disseminate information to the wider scientific community and general public about nuclear and
radiochemistry and its achievements.
Priorities of the Division
1.
Constitution was established as Practices and Procedures with the aims and objectives given above.
2.
The Division should continue editing the Newsletter as official information periodical of the Division with S.
Jerome and A. Vertes agreeing to assist A. Ware in editing.
3.
Web site. All members are asked to send any links, they would like to have listed here, to A. Ware.
4.
Diary of future events (10-years Calendar) – has been established
4. Co-ordination of T&E in Radiochemistry and Review of Courses. A survey will be circulated to Division
members for comments.
5. Contact has been made with the Technical Advisory Boards of both the NRC and Radchem series of meetings.
The list of these and other Future Events are being maintained up to date on the website.
If your country does not have a nominee to the Division, please press your Chemical Society to nominate a
candidate.
--------------- ¤ --------------EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION for CHEMICAL and MOLECULAR SCIENCES
The following article has been submitted for inclusion in the next EuCheMS Newsletter in an effort to give the Division
wider exposure.
Division portrait.
Nuclear and Radiochemistry
The Division of Nuclear and Radiochemistry was established in October 2006 following a period of 7 years as a
Working Party. The Division currently has representatives from 23 national member societies of whom 20 have been
formally appointed. It is chaired by Heinz Gäggeler, University of Bern, Switzerland with Dr Jan John, Technical
University of Prague, Czech Republic as secretary.
The Working Party first met during the 5th Nuclear and Radiochemistry Conference (NRC5) in Pontresina,
Switzerland. This conference series, held every four years, had already been established as a result of collaboration
between radiochemists from National Chemical Societies led by GDCh. The first meeting of the WP quickly
established a website and supported the continuance of the Newsletter for Radiochemists in Europe, which was being
hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
The Division aims to cover all aspects of chemistry in which radioactive isotopes are employed. This was exemplified
in the symposium held during the 1st EuCheMS Congress in 2006 in Budapest entitled "Hot topics in Nuclear and
Radiochemistry“. The topics covered were Chemistry of New Elements (Heinz Gäggeler), Radionuclides in the
Environment (Heino Nitsche), Radiopharmaceuticals (Heinz Coenen), Chemistry of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (Charles
Madic) and Teaching of Nuclear and Radiochemistry in the modern age (Anthony Ware).
The NRC series has continued with a successful NRC7 held in Budapest in 2008 and NRC8 planned for Italy in 2012.
The Division has incorporated the Radiochemical Conferences held in the Czech Republic every four years, thus
establishing a conference covering all aspects of nuclear and radiochemistry every two years as required by its aims.
The Division has agreed to participate in the 3rd EuCheMS Chemistry Congress in Nuremberg, Germany in 2010. The
next conference will be the Radiochemical Conference 18 – 23 April 2010 in Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic.
Links have been forged with other EuCheMS Divisions notably Analytical Chemistry and Chemistry and the
Environment, and with outside organisations having similar interests. An example being collaboration with an IAEA
worldwide survey on the "Assessment of the teaching and applications in radiochemistry".
The website includes details of the Division along with the newsletter, future events and a 10-year calendar of regular
conferences in the area of nuclear and radiochemistry.
Heinz Gäggeler, Jan John, Tony Ware
www.euchems.org/Divisions/NRC
--------------- ¤ -------------•LABORATORY/BUSINESS PROFILES
No profiles were offered during the past 6 months.
--------------- ¤ -------------•CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP REPORTS
International Symposium on the Periodic Table
Honouring the 175-Year Birthday of D. I. Mendeleev
On 20/21 January 2009 the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (FLNR) of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research
(JINR) in Dubna, Russia, organised an International Symposium on the Periodic Table of D.I. Mendeleev to
commemorate the 175th birthday of this eminent Russian Chemist. The first Periodic Table of Mendeleev was published
in 1869; therefore this Symposium also celebrated the 140th anniversary of this scheme for the ordering of the elements.
It is worth mentioning that some elements have been discovered after this Periodic Table was published, as several
empty positions were left in the original scheme. This lead to the discovery of gallium (1875 as eka-aluminum),
scandium (1879 as eka-boron) and germanium (1886 as eka-silicon), respectively.
The conference was attended by scientists from all over the world and covered presentations on reminiscences of D.I.
Mendeleev and his contribution to sciences as well as summaries on ongoing research, both in physics and chemistry,
to extend the actual limit of the Periodic Table to even heavier atomic numbers. D.I. Mendeleev is in Russia very
popular not only as a chemist but also as “father of Vodka”.
The presentations at the conference pointed to the fact that chemists have successfully discovered all elements up to
atomic number 101 (mendelevium) whereas all heavier elements have been discovered by physicists (in some cases
with the help of chemists: rutherfordium and dubnium). Moreover, the heaviest element that has been approved by
IUPAC has the atomic number 111 (roentgenium) and the heaviest element that has been claimed to be discovered has
the atomic number 118 – though the element with atomic number 117 is still missing.
Chemists have - at least once – investigated chemical properties of all elements up to atomic number 108 (hassium) and
the two elements with atomic numbers 112 and 114, respectively.
Some presentations were focusing on the future of the Periodic Table, giving hope that still many elements are waiting
to be discovered. It would be fantastic to reach atomic number 121, since with this element the g-electron shell should
start to be filled. The pathways to the synthesis of such elements, however, were discussed very controversial.
(Heinz Gäggeler)
--------------- ¤ -------------•CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP DETAILS
RWIN Meetings
The next RWIN Meeting on Geological Disposal will be held at The University of Sheffield on Thursday 23rd April
The confirmed speakers so far are
Neil Smart, NDA, Richard Shaw, BGS, Fergus Gibb, ISL, University of Sheffield, John Beswick, Neil Chapman, ITC,
Michael Kendall, University of Bristol, Russell Hand, ISL, University of Sheffield
The Meetings page on the RWIN website http://www.rwin.org.uk gives further details and also links to maps of
Sheffield and the University Campus and local hotels.
EUROANALYSIS 2009 Innsbruck/Austria, 6-10 September 2009
The premier conference for the full spectrum of Analytical Chemistry
www.euroanalysis2009.at
Euroanalysis is organised through the Analytical Division of EuCheMS with whom we have an association. Aspects of
radiochemical analysis relevant to the wider field of analysis would be welcomed.
ITC course "Radiological Risk Assessment and Environmental Analysis"
will take place in Bristol, UK from 22nd to 26th June. The course is based around, and will use, the new book of the
same title, published last year by Oxford University Press and is being organised in collaboration with the University of
Bristol Risk Centre and the Risk Assessment Corporation USA.
The course is designed principally for managers and scientists working in the nuclear industry, in radioactive waste
management or site clean-up and remediation (or in regulating such activities) who are concerned with risk evaluation
of radionuclides in the environment, including compliance, remediation, litigation and emergency response. The first
part of the course looks at the basics of radiological risks, European and UK protection standards and the use of BAT
and ALARA, moving on to look in detail at radionuclide source terms from nuclear facilities and the behaviour and
movement of radionuclides in the air, soil and surface and groundwater. Food chain pathways and internal and external
dosimetry are then considered, before moving on to a range of case studies. As with all ITC courses, teaching is
provided by a group of highly qualified and experienced tutors who are all experts in the field. Full details of venue,
accommodation and costs on our website (http://www.itc-school.org/).
------------- ¤ -------------NEWS FROM THE INTERNET
French nuclear power report.
In the midst of worldwide crisis of escalating oil prices, France is among the few countries that are least affected. The
reason being country's well developed, organised and well structured nuclear power sector, which produces almost 80%
of country’s total power.
With annual nuclear power generation of 428.7 TWh from 59 nuclear power plants, France is second largest generator
of nuclear power after United States and is leading country on basis of per capita nuclear power production. France
began promoting nuclear power in the 1970s when its reliance on fossil fuels for power generation was an estimated
65%. Today, France is an exporter of the electricity. French nuclear power is efficient and low cost and French
electricity tariffs are therefore the lowest in Europe.
Electricite de France (EdF), owned by the French government, controls almost the entire market for nuclear power
generation and distribution in the country. Areva Group and its subsidiaries are responsible for remaining activities of
the nuclear fuel cycle - from mining to management and disposition of nuclear waste. Other key players in the French
nuclear industry include CEA, Cogema, ANDRA, Eurodif and IRSN.
The Energy Policy of 2005 establishes guidelines for energy strategy and security in France. The role of nuclear power
is central to this along with specific decisions concerning the European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR), notably to
build an initial unit so as to be able to decide by 2015 on building a series of about 40 of them.
It also set out research policy for developing innovative energy technologies consistent with reducing carbon dioxide
emissions and it defined the role of renewable energies in the production of electricity, in thermal uses and transport.
France is a member of several international organisations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
the Nuclear Power Agency (NEA) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as well
as other bilateral and multilateral organisations such as the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).
France is also member of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), an international collective of 10 countries
dedicated to the development of the next generation of nuclear reactors and fuel cycle technologies. Furthermore,
France has taken a leading role in the development of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a
consortium of the European Union, the United States, Japan, Russia, China, and South Korea that seeks to build a
working fusion reactor at a testing site in Cadarache, France by 2015.
Recent increases in oil prices has once again shifted the focus on nuclear power development and with France's energy
consumption expected to grow by 50% over the next two decades, France has plans to further grow its nuclear power
industry. The French government has called for a significant expansion of the industry, including the construction of a
third-generation of nuclear reactors and the upgrading of existing plants.
For more information please click on:
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/c16e97/frances_nuclear_power_market_potential
-------------- ¤ -------------JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Full-time position as “Dozent/Dozentin” in environmental radiochemistry
A successor to Prof. Urs Krähenbühl at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern is required.
The preferred starting date is January 2010. Candidates should have a strong track record of internationally recognised
research in environmental radiochemistry, in areas such as naturally occurring radionuclides, radioanalytical chemistry,
nuclear dating of archives, geo- or cosmoradiochemistry with a focus on environmental chemistry. The successful
candidate is expected to integrate his/her research into the Laboratory of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry
at Bern University and Paul Scherrer Institute and to develop an active scientific network. Synergies with the National
Competence Center in climate research at Bern University (www.nccr-climate.unibe.ch) are highly welcome.
Responsibilities will include teaching of analytical- and radioanalytical chemistry, and environmental chemistry at the
BSc, MSc and PhD levels. The candidates should have experience in acquiring external funds. The University of Bern
is an equal opportunity employer and strives to increase the number of women in the faculty/staff. Qualified female
researchers are especially encouraged to apply.
Applications, including detailed curriculum vitae, publication list, copies of the 5 most important publications, an
outline of research plans and teaching experience should be sent to the address below by 30th April 2009.
Prof. S. Decurtins, Departement für Chemie und Biochemie, Universität Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern,
Switzerland.
For further information contact Prof. S. Decurtins (tel: +41 (0)31 631 4255; email: [email protected]), or Prof. A.
Türler (tel: +49 89 289 12202; email: [email protected]).
-------------- ¤ -------------•AND FINALLY
Please send information for inclusion in future issues to your Liaison Person or myself Dr Tony Ware, Avoncastle,
South Lane, Sutton Valence, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3AZ, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1622 842627, email:[email protected]
IMPORTANT PLEASE send me your e-mail address so that I can inform you when websites have been updated and
any other news of immediate interest.
--------------- ¤ --------------DIVISION Members
Prof. Mauro Bonardi (Italy)
Head of Radiochemistry Laboratory
LASA
Via F. lli Cervi,
20090 Segrate
Milano, Italy
[email protected]
Prof. Alexander Chekmarev (Russia)
Russian D Mendeleev University of
Chemical Technology
Miusskaya Sic9, 125190 Moscow, Russia
[email protected]
Dr Divna Dĵokić (Serbia)
The Vinča Institute of Nuclear Science
PO Box 522, 11001 Belgrade
Serbia and Monteńegro
[email protected]
Ir. Zvonimir I Kolar, MSc (The
Netherlands)
Dept. of Radiation, Radionuclides &
Reactors. Faculty Applied Science
Delft University of Technology
Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft,
The Netherlands
[email protected]
Dr Jukka Lehto (Finland)
Laboratory of Radiochemistry
P.O.Box 55
00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
[email protected]
Dra Catalina Gascό Leonarte (Spain)
CIEMAT (DIAF)(Ed3A)
Avda de la Complutense 22
Madrid 28040
Spain
Prof. Dr. Heinz W Gäggeler
(Switzerland)
Dept. for Chemistry and Biochemistry
Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern,
Switzerland
[email protected]
and [email protected]
[email protected]
Dr Xiaolin Hou (Denmark)
Risø National Laboratory
Department of Radiation Research
NUK-202, DK-4000
Roskilde, Denmark
[email protected]
Prof. Jerzy Narbutt, (Poland)
Head of Dept of Radiochemistry
Institute of Nuclear Chemistry &
Technology
Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warszawa, Poland
[email protected]
Prof Per Hoff (Norway)
Nuclear Chemistry Section, Department of
Chemistry,
University of Oslo, PO Box 1033,
Blindern N-0315 Oslo, Norway
[email protected]
Dr Ioannis Paschalidis (Cyprus)
Assistant Professor of Radiochemistry
Dept. of Chemistry, University of Cyprus
[email protected]
Mr S Jerome (UK)
National Physical Laboratory
G6 – A5 Hampton Road
Teddington
Middlesex TW11 0LW, UK
[email protected]
Dr Jan John (Czech Republic)
Dept Nuc Chem, Czech Tech.Univ.in
Prague
Brehova 7, 115 19 Praha 1, Czech
Republic
[email protected]
Dr Panagiotis Misaelides (Greece)
Dept. of Chemistry, Aristotle University,
PO Box 1547
GR-54006 Thessaloniki, Greece
[email protected]
Prof.. Pavol Rajec (Slovakia)
Dept. of Nuclear Chemistry, Faculty of
Natural Sciences
Comenius University, Mlynska dolina
842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
[email protected]
Dr Isabel Santos (Portugal)
Instituto Tecnológico de Nuclear,
Departamento de Quimica
Est. Nacional 10, 2686 Sacavém, Portugal
[email protected]
Prof. Eric Simoni (France)
IPN, Paris XI University,
France
[email protected]
Prof Gunnar Skarnemark (Sweden)
Dept of Nuclear Chemistry, Chalmers
Univ of Technology
S-41296 Goteborg, Sweden
[email protected]
Dr. Rayna Stefanova (Bulgaria)
National Centre of Radiobiology and
Radiation Protection,
National Laboratory for Control of
Irradiated Foods
132 Kliment Ohridsky
1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
[email protected]
Prof. Andreas Türler (Germany)
Institute for Radiochemistry
TU München
[email protected].
Prof. Turan Unak (Turkey)
Ege University, Faculty of Science
Dept of Chemistry, Div Nuclear Chem
Bornova, Izmir 35100, Turkey
[email protected]
Dr A Vincze (Hungary)
Zrinyi Miklos National Defense
University
Hungary
[email protected]
Dr A R Ware (UK)
Avoncastle , South Lane
Sutton Valence, Maidstone
Kent ME17 3AZ, UK
Tel. +44(0)1622 842627
[email protected]
Dr Israel Zilbermann (Israel)
Chemistry Department, Nuclear Research
Centre Negev,
POB 9001,
Beer-Sheva 84190, Israel
[email protected]
LIST OF ADDITIONAL LIAISON PERSONS
Dr Max Bichler (Austria)
Technische Universität Wien,Atominst.
Abteilung Radiochemie Stadionallee 2,
A-1020 Wien, Austria
Tel.: 43 1 58801 14192
e-mail: [email protected]
Karloveska 63
SK-842 29 Bratislava 4,
Slovakia
Tel. +421 2 206 70 756,
Fax: +421 2 206 70 748
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr Ales Fajgelj (IAEA, Austria)
IAEA, Agency's Lab Seibersdorf
A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
Tel: 43 1 2600 28233
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr Milka Benedik (Slovenia)
Laboratory for Radiochemistry
J Stefan Institute
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: + 386 1 5885 450
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Dusan Razem, Head, (Croatia)
Radiation Chemistry and Dosimetry
Laboratory
Dept of Chemistry
Rudjer Boskovic Institute
Bijenicka cesta 54, P.O.Box 180
1000 Zagreb
Croatia
[email protected]
Prof Dr P Benes (Czech Republic)
Czech Technical University
Nuclear Sciences & Physical Engineering
115 19 PRAHA 1
Brehova 7, Czech Republic
Tel: (2) 231 76 26
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr D Trubert (France)
Institut de Physique Nucleaire
Division de Radiochimie
BP 1
F-91406 Orsay Cedex
France
Tel. (33) 16 1 69 41 73 45
e-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Z B Alfassi (Israel)
Department of Nuclear Engineering
Ben Gurion University
Beer Sheva, 84102 Israel
Tel. 972-57-461347
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr R Bojanowski (Poland)
Polish Academy of Sciences
Institute of Oceanology
Dept of Marine Chem. and Biology
Powstancow Warszawy 55
81-712 Sopot
P.O.Box 68, Poland
Tel. (48 58) 51 72 81
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr V P Kolotov (Russia)
Verdnasky Institute of Geochemistry and
Analytical Chemistry
Kosygin str., 19
Moscow B-334, 117975, Russia
Fax:7 (095) 9382054
e-mail: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Prof. Dr Fedor Macasek (Slovakia)
Quality Manager BIONT,
Prof. T Eriksen (Rest of Sweden)
Dept of Nuclear Chemistry
S-10044 Stockholm 70,
Sweden
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr G Hunter (International Union of
Radioecology)
7A Park Ave.
Stirling, Scotland
UK FK82QR
e-mail: [email protected]