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.

The Canadian Spent Fuel Storage Canister: Some Materials Aspects

Abstract: Concrete canisters for interim dry storage of spent, irradiated Canadian Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) fuel are being developed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. The canisters are designed to contain...

Ferroelectric Transition in K D 2 P O 4

Abstract: The ferroelectric transition in K${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Coherent neutron scattering by fluctuations associated with the transition was studied both above and below the transition temperature. None of the optic-phonon modes was found to change in frequency near the Curie temperature, in contrast with materials such as SrTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. The ferroelectric fluctuations gave rise to quasi-elastic scattering, increasing in intensity as the transition was approached. The intensity distribution showed that the pattern of displacement of the atoms in these fluctuations was similar to that which relates the crystal structures of K${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ above and below the transition temperature. It was found that the macroscopic electric field plays a large part in determining the probability distribution of the fluctuations. The results have been analysed in terms of an Ising model with one "spin" per unit cell. The intensity of the scattering is shown to be consistent with a relation connecting the dielectric and scattering properties. The implications of these results for the theory of ferroelectricity in K${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and K${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ are discussed.

Validation of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay for use as a triage biological dosimetry tool

Abstract: Traditionally, the dicentric chromosome assay (DCA) has been used to derive biological dose estimates for unknown radiological exposures. While sensitive, this assay requires highly trained evaluators and is extremely time consuming. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay has been suggested as an alternative to the DCA, as it is much faster to evaluate samples and requires less technical expertise. In order to validate this assay for triage biodosimetry, dose-response curves were generated for six donors at eight doses of gamma-radiation (0-4.0 Gy). Each sample was evaluated by 12 individuals, among three different laboratories and the incidence of micronuclei was determined after counting 50-500 binucleated cells. This study demonstrated that the CBMN assay was capable of detecting radiation doses >or=1 Gy after scoring only 200 binucleated cells. As such, the CBMN assay may provide a sensitive and reliable technique for deployment as an initial screening tool in a large-scale radiological emergency where large numbers of biological dose estimates are required.