This course gives an intense immersive experience that includes planning and implementing detection, verification, and retrieval of unknown nuclear or radioactive materials as radiological emergency responders assuming hypothetical radiation disasters caused by nuclear security events, developed in cooperation with TAMU (Texas A & M University) and TEEX (Texas A & M Engineering Extension Service). Firstly, at Tokyo Tech, students will practice "Radiation Detectors and Measurement” to learn the principles of radiation detectors and how to measure radiation using gamma-ray spectrometers, neutron detectors, and radioisotope and neutron sources. In the U.S., the students will perform "Uranium Enrichment Verification", "Radioactive Material Locating in Building", and "Radiological Emergency Response" exercises, using TAMU’s nuclear security and safeguards facilities and the TEEX Disaster City training compound (real rubble piles, structural collapse, railroads and cars, etc.).
This course aims to provide students with the emergency response and crisis management capability needed to adequately respond to radiation disasters caused by nuclear security events (sabotage, theft of nuclear material and RI, use of RDD, etc.). In addition, students will acquire skills such as teamwork and communication that are important for disaster response.
By taking this course, students will learn;
1) Comprehensive and systematic thinking and responding capability to radiation disasters caused by nuclear security events
2) Principles of radiation detectors and proper handling methods of radiation detectors used for radiation disaster response
3) Technological capability necessary for quick radiation disaster response (detection, verification, identification of radioactive materials)
4) Teamwork and communication skills for radiation disaster response
Radiation Disaster Response, Radiological Emergency Response, Nuclear Security, Crisis Management, Radiation Measurment
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
In the Tokyo Tech's exercise, students are properly grouped so that they can practice with three gamma-ray spectrometers and a neutron detector. In TAMU, students practice in two groups "Uranium Enrichment Verification" and "Radioactive Material Locating in Building". In TEEX Disaster City, teams of two students perform missions. Prior to conducting each exercise, relevant lectures are given and after the exercise, students will present or report, and discuss.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Outline of Radiation Disaster Response | Understand the course objectives and outline. |
Class 2 | Protocol of Radiation Disaster Response (1) | Understand the protocol of radiation disaster response. |
Class 3 | Protocol of Radiation Disaster Response (2) | Understand the protocol of radiation disaster response. |
Class 4 | Exercise 1 : Radiation Detectors and Measurement - Gamma Spectrometer | Learn the principles and methods of the gamma-ray spectrometer, and measure gamma-ray sources. |
Class 5 | Exercise 1 : Radiation Detectors and Measurement - Neutron Detector | Learn the principles and methods of the neutron detector, and measure neutron sources. |
Class 6 | Exercise 2 : Uranium Enrichment Verification - Safeguards Instrumentation in Practice (Lecture) | Learn types and functions of safeguards instrumentation in practice. |
Class 7 | Exercise 2 : Uranium Enrichment Verification - U Enrichment Verification Using a Portable HPGe Detector | Learn how to handle the portable HPGe detector and verify U enrichment of samples. |
Class 8 | Exercise 3 : Radioactive Material Locating in Building - National Nuclear Security Detection System (Lecture) | Learn knowledge about detection systems used for U.S. national nuclear security |
Class 9 | Exercise 3 : Radioactive Material Locating in Building - Building Search Using a Radiation Detection Backpack System | Learn how to handle the radiation detection backpack system and search unknown radioactive materials in building. |
Class 10 | Exercise 3 : Radioactive Material Locating in Building - Radiation Source Locating outside the Target Room | Figure out the exact location of the radioactive material (source-in-a room) outside the room. |
Class 11 | Exercise 4 : Radiological Emergency Response - Consequence Management (Lecture) - Emergency Response Radiation Detection Instrumentation (Lecture) | Understand consequence management. Learn how to handle the detectors used for exercise. |
Class 12 | Exercise 4 : Radiological Emergency Response - Mission Brief - Finding an Elevated Radiation Area by a GPS Vehicle Search System | Grasp the missions. Find an elevated radiation area by monitoring a GPS vehicle search system. |
Class 13 | Exercise 4 : Radiological Emergency Response - Radiation Field Mapping of the Target Area | Measure and map radiation levels around the target area. Plan a deep search route. |
Class 14 | Exercise 4 : Radiological Emergency Response - Deep Search for the Target Area - Radiation Source Retrieval | Perform a deep search for the target area according to instructions and map out. Locate, identify, and retrieve radiation sources. |
Class 15 | Exercise 4 : Radiological Emergency Response - Mission Debrief and Discussion | Compile, report, and discuss the mission results. |
Class 16 | Presentation and Discussion on Exercise Results and Achievements (1) | Present and discuss the results and achievements of the three exercises. |
Class 17 | Presentation and Discussion on Exercise Results and Achievements (2) | Present and discuss the results and achievements of the three exercises. |
Not specified
Course Materials:
Handouts will be distributed before or at the beginning of classes when necessary.
Activities in Class (30%), Achievements and Teamwork in Exercise Missions (30%), Presentation and Discussion on Exercise Results (20%), and Homework Assignments (20%)
There is a limit on the number of students who can take this course.
buchi[at]lane.iir.titech.ac.jp
chiba.satoshi[at]lane.iir.titech.ac.jp
sagara[at]lane.iir.titech.ac.jp
cyhan[at]nr.titech.ac.jp
E-mail for an appointment