Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

About: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a company organization based out in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Neutron & Zirconium alloy. The organization has 4845 authors who have published 4826 publications receiving 102951 citations.

Chemical Speciation of Iodine Source Term to Containment

Abstract: Iodine species released into a reactor containment building following a loss-of-coolant accident is determined by the relative timing and quantity of iodine and other fission products released from...

Determination of femtogram quantities of 239Pu and 240Pu in bioassay samples by thermal ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract: A thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) method is described for the determination of ultra-trace levels of plutonium isotopes in human urine samples. The method has been validated through the analysis of artificial urine samples spiked with known amounts of 239Pu ranging from 2.5 fg to 50 fg (6-115mBq). A slight positive bias of 1.7%-2.7% was determined, with a relative precision of 2.2% at 50 fg, increasing to 2.7% for 5-25 fg 239Pu. The detection limit of the method was 0.53 fg (1.2mBq) 239Pu, and the instrumental detection limit was at least 0.1 fg. The determination of the isotopic signature of the sample with 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Pu amounts of several femtograms is possible, and was demonstrated with the determination of the 240 to 239 ratio in an inter-laboratory sample comparison. The method is relatively free from interferences, 95% of sample preparations were acceptable both in terms of chemical recovery and lack of isobaric interference. The isotopic abundance of the 242Pu SRM 4334E of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was also determined by TIMS and was found to be 99.99967 atom% 242Pu.

Iron oxyhydroxide colloid formation by gamma-radiolysis

Abstract: Gamma-irradiation of deaerated aqueous solutions containing FeSO4 leads to the formation of uniform-sized colloidal particles of γ-FeOOH. At short irradiation times, or in solutions with a low initial [Fe2+]0, spherical particles with a size less than 10 nm are formed. These primary particles grow to form a dendritic structure upon longer irradiation, and the final size of the large particles is ∼60 nm with a very narrow size distribution. Further prolonged irradiation does not change the final particle size. The narrow size distribution is attributed to rapid homogeneous radiolytic oxidation of soluble Fe2+ to relatively insoluble Fe3+ hydroxides [Fe(H2O)6−n(OH)n]3−n leading to particle nucleation by spontaneous condensation. These primary particles then grow into γ-FeOOH particles with a dendritic structure. The final size reached at long times is regulated by the steady-state redox conditions established during long-term irradiation at the aqueous–solid interface.

Trichothiodystrophy associated with photosensitivity, gonadal failure, and striking osteosclerosis

Abstract: Three new unrelated cases of PIBIDS (Photosensitivity, Ichthyosis, Brittle, sulfur-deficient hair [trichothiodystrophy], Impaired intelligence, Decreased fertility, and Short stature) are reported. Decreased survival of skin fibroblast lines after UVB exposure was found. All three male patients had hypogonadism and primary end-organ gonadal failure. Striking osteosclerosis was present in all three patients. To the best of our knowledge the third patient is the first reported case of a black man with PIBIDS.

Method of oxidizing gaseous substances

Abstract: A method is provided for oxidizing gases such as, for example, CO, aldehydes having carbon atoms in the range 1 to 5 (eg formaldehyde), ketones having carbon atoms in the range 3 to 5, and alcohols having carbon atoms in the range 1 to 5, wherein the gas at a relative humidity in the range 0 to 100% and an input temperature in the range -50° to 150° C is contacted with a catalyst assembly comprising (a) a hydrophobic support having a surface area in the range 50 to 1,500 m2 /g and selected from the group consisting of silicalite, silylated silica, and styrene divinylbenzene polymers, and, on said support (b) a catalytically active metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, rhenium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, platinum, iridium, nickel, copper and silver, said metal being present in an amount in the range 01 to 22 wt % of the total weight of the catalyst assembly The catalyst assemblies used are generally catalytically active in the presence of liquid water and water vapor for longer periods than known catalyst assemblies and function at ambient temperatures