Random hole optical fibers (RHOF) offer advantages over other types of microstructured optical fibers (MOFs). They are inexpensive and easy-to-make when compared to the high cost of ordered hole MOFs. They also have unique characteristics since they contain open and closed holes. The open holes contain ambient air under normal conditions and the closed holes contain residual gases from the fabrication process at certain pressure. The objective of this research work was to investigate the radiation resistance of Random Hole Optical Fibers (RHOF) for possible use as both sensing element and data transmission medium in nuclear reactor instrumentation and control applications. This work is motivated by the demand for efficient, cost effective, and safe operation of nuclear power plants, which accounts for more than 14% of the world's electricity production. This work has studied the effect of gamma irradiation on RHOF fibers by comparing their performance to that of standard solid telecommunication fibers and commercially available specialty solid fiber designed to be radiations hardened fiber. The fibers were evaluated at different absorbed dose levels: 12 mGy(Si), 350 mGy(Si), and 7200 Gy(Si) by measuring their radiation induced absorption (RIA) on-line. In the low dose test, the maximum RIA measured in untreated RHOF was approximately 8 dB while the RIA in the untreated MMF fibers reached a maximum at about 28 dB. In the high dose test, the maximum RIA measured in untreated RHOF was 36 dB while RIA in the methanol washed RHOF was only 9 dB. RHOF also demonstrated superior radiation damage recovery time over all of the other fibers tested. Based on the experimental evaluations, it was deduced that RHOFs used in this work are resistant to gamma radiation. and recover from radiation damage at a faster rate compared to other fibers tested. The radiation induced absorption (RIA) at the 1550 nm window in the RHOF fibers could be attributed to the OH absorption band tail. However, the existence of other mechanisms responsible for RIA is also postulated. Some of these mechanisms include bulk and surface defects which are related to the fabrication process and the influence of the gases confined within the RHOF microstructure. Gamma radiation resistance of RHOFs can be attributed to the lack of dopants and also possibly the inherent OH and nitrogen content. The behavior of thermally annealed RHOF and their fast recovery is in favor of this hypothesis. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

The objective of the thesis is to characterize the nuclear energy in the european area with the focus on nuclear energy in France. The sector of nuclear energy is now experiencing a new period, so-called "nuclear renaissance". Many european countries decided to rebuild the present nuclear power sites or to construct new ones. Nuclear energy is the most advantageous solutions for many european countries because it decreases external energy dependence and it helps to diminish the carbon dioxide emissions. In the connection with the Czech Presidency in the European Union, it was made proposal for the "Nuclear Security Community" which has to unify the security level of member states of the EU and to intensify the mutual cooperation in the domain of nuclear energy. France represents world nuclear leader thanks to efficiently operating oragnizations, excellent results in nuclear research, realization of nuclear fuel recycling and strong government support. Nucler energy in France can serve as an example for four recommendations to other european countries: government support, efficiently working research institutions, global cooperation between all subjects participating on the formation of nuclear energy and active involvement in the international cooperation in nuclear energy. In spite of constantly high initial investment in construction of nuclear power sites, the nuclear energy seems to experience a positive future.

This Master's thesis dealt with securitization attempts related to the planned construction of a new reactor at the Dukovany NPP. Therefore, its aim was to find, analyse and explain securitization speech acts associated with the planned reactor, in the period from summer 2015 to December 2020 using the critical discourse analysis approach. The results show that securitization speech acts of this kind do appear in the Czech public sphere and are articulated mainly by four groups of actors: representatives of Austria, Czech environmental NGOs, Czech governmental representatives, and Czech political opposition. These actors have different goals: to stop the construction of the reactor, to implement the construction of the reactor, or to influence the way in which the construction will be implemented. One case of successful securitization was found in the outcome: The Czech government was able to enforce extraordinary measures that deviated from standard democratic processes using security-based arguments. Their goal was to implement the construction of the reactor. It remains to add that the research also revealed three important functional actors who co-created the discourse: the BIS secret service, the SÚJB nuclear safety office and the company ČEZ.

Text in English / Energy is the natural power stored in matter which can be potential and kinetic energy. This occurs in nature in various forms such as chemical energy, thermal energy, electromagnetic radiation, gravitational energy, electric energy, elastic energy, nuclear energy, and rest energy. The scientific research relating to nuclear energy has revealed that atoms are the foundation of matter. In 1905 Albert Einstein initiated the quantum revolution utilising the Newtonian mass-energy equivalence concept in order to put his famous equation: E =mc2, where energy is (E). This facilitated the nuclear research which focused on manufacturing the first atomic bomb. In 1945 the USA acquired its first two atomic bombs which were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, killing 200 000 people; mostly civilians. But nuclear energy research has been redirected by scientists in order to industrialise nuclear technology in order to address growing power needs. This encouraged policy makers to consider the risks posed by utilising nuclear energy for civil purposes. The shift towards peaceful nuclear energy applications has been motivated by the many valuable contributions to humankind which nuclear energy offers - for instance in the fields of energy generation, human health, agriculture and industry. The nature of nuclear energy lends itself to becoming an important component of the world energy and global economic system. Nuclear energy is a viable option for many countries including South Africa, because it offers an economic and clean source of electricity; the primary engine for socio-economic development. South Africa operates the only two nuclear power reactors in Africa, (Koeberg 1 and Koeberg 2) generating 1.8 GWe. South Africa’s energy supply infrastructure consists fundamentally of coal-fired power plants which pose serious threats to the environment. Therefore, it is assumed that the planned 9.6 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2030 will meet the requirements of South Africa’s policy regarding the diversification of available energy resources to secure energy supply, support economic growth, and contribute to environmental management. Consequently, the legal system which governs nuclear energy programme is intended to prohibit the proliferation of nuclear weapons, ensure security and maintain the safe operation of nuclear facilities. / Public, Constitutional, & International Law / LL.D.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The International Energy Agency will for the first time in its 32 years history urge governments to speed up the construction of nuclear power plants. According to Fatih Birol, lEA chief economist, "the decision almost needs to be made tomorrow if we are going to act before we reach a point of no return in climate and security of supply." Nuclear energy, through the conversion and enrichment of uranium oxide, is one of the energy sources with the potential to make an immediate and substantial difference in the emission of greenhouse gasses. Uranium Oxide currently provides a cost effective and sustainable source of clean energy through nuclear power generation, directly comparable in price to gas and coal. With the growth of the world economy, comes a requirement for more energy. This can only be sustained through a number of sources, of which uranium and renewable sources of energy i.e. wind power generation, is part of. The supply of uranium oxide from production to conversion is key to the success of the uranium industry. The high energy potential of relative small quantities of uranium makes rt ideal to transport as the cost and handling is reduced. The transportation of uranium oxide is continuously increasing in complexity. This combined with a high price scenario, increased demand and supply shortages increases the risk associated with denial and delays of shipments. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Internasionale Energie Agentskap gaan vir die eerste keer in die organisasie se 32-jaar geskiedenis' regerings aanspoor om die konstruksie van kemkragsentrales te bespoedig. Volgens Fatih Birol, IEA se hoof-ekonoom, "moet die besluit amper more geneem word as ons gaan reageer voor ons 'n punt van geen omdraai bereik het ten opsigte van die klimaat en sekuriteit van aanbod." Kernkrag, deur die omskakeling en verryking van uraanoksied, is een van die energie bronne met die potensiaal om 'n onmiddelike en substansiele verskil in die vrylating van groenhuis-gasse te maak. Uraanoksied verskaf huidiglik 'n koste effektiewe en volhoudbare bron van skoon energie deur kernkrag opwekking, direk vergelykbaar met steenkool en gas. Met die groei in die wereld ekonomie, kom die vraag na meer energie. Dit kan slegs volhoudbaar wees uit 'n aantal bronne waarvan uraan en hernubare bronne soos windkrag-opwekking, deel is. Die verskaffing van uraanoksied van produksie tot verryking is die sleutel tot die sukses van die uraan industrie. Die hoe energie potensiaal van relatiewe klein hoeveelhede uraan, maak dit geskik vir vervoer omdat die koste van vervoer en hantering verminder word. Die transportering van uraan oksied is voortdurend besig om in kompleksiteit toe te neem. Gekombineerd met 'n hoe prys senario, verhoogde vraag na en aanbodtekorte, verhoog die risiko verbind met wyering en vertragings in verskeping.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / Nuclear power is the next enabling technology in manned exploration of the solar system. Scientists and engineers continue to design multi-megawatt power systems, yet no power system in the 100 kilowatt, electric, range has been built and flown. Technology demonstrations and studies leave a myriad of systems from which decision makers can choose to build the first manned space nuclear power system. While many subsystem engineers plan in parallel, an accurate specific mass value becomes an important design specification, which is still uncertain. This thesis goes through the design features of the manned Mars mission, its power system requirements, their design attributes as well as their design faults. Specific mass is calculated statistically as well as empirically for 1-15MWe systems. Conclusions are presented on each subsystem as well as recommendations for decision makers on where development needs to begin today in order for the mission to launch in the future. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Energy is the natural power stored in matter which can be potential and kinetic energy. This occurs in nature in various forms such as chemical energy, thermal energy, electromagnetic radiation, gravitational energy, electric energy, elastic energy, nuclear energy, and rest energy. The scientific research relating to nuclear energy has revealed that atoms are the foundation of matter. In 1905 Albert Einstein initiated the quantum revolution utilising the Newtonian mass-energy equivalence concept in order to put his famous equation: E =mc2, where energy is (E). This facilitated the nuclear research which focused on manufacturing the first atomic bomb. In 1945 the USA acquired its first two atomic bombs which were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, killing 200 000 people; mostly civilians. But nuclear energy research has been redirected by scientists in order to industrialise nuclear technology in order to address growing power needs. This encouraged policy makers to consider the risks posed by utilising nuclear energy for civil purposes. The shift towards peaceful nuclear energy applications has been motivated by the many valuable contributions to humankind which nuclear energy offers - for instance in the fields of energy generation, human health, agriculture and industry. The nature of nuclear energy lends itself to becoming an important component of the world energy and global economic system. Nuclear energy is a viable option for many countries including South Africa, because it offers an economic and clean source of electricity; the primary engine for socio-economic development. South Africa operates the only two nuclear power reactors in Africa, (Koeberg 1 and Koeberg 2) generating 1.8 GWe. South Africa’s energy supply infrastructure consists fundamentally of coal-fired power plants which pose serious threats to the environment. Therefore, it is assumed that the planned 9.6 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2030 will meet the requirements of South Africa’s policy regarding the diversification of available energy resources to secure energy supply, support economic growth, and contribute to environmental management. Consequently, the legal system which governs nuclear energy programme is intended to prohibit the proliferation of nuclear weapons, ensure security and maintain the safe operation of nuclear facilities. / Public, Constitutional, and International Law / LL. D.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2017-02-24T18:02:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MURILO MIRANDA.pdf: 4361708 bytes, checksum: e91739f535112a0d36b2f372606f0fda (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-24T18:02:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MURILO MIRANDA.pdf: 4361708 bytes, checksum: e91739f535112a0d36b2f372606f0fda (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-12-07 / This paper analyzes the actual system of civil liability for nuclear damage in Brazil, considering the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, the Vienna Convention on civil liability for nuclear damage and the Law 6.453/1977 as well as other sources of legislation applicable to the subject. It starts with the assumption that the system of civil liability for nuclear damage in force in Brazil needs to be revised because it is a system of more than fifty years and has not absorbed the changes consubstantial legal science in this period, especially with regard to human rights and raising the principle of human dignity as the foundation of the Federative Republic of Brazil. In this sense the system in various situations in question admits the damage without a corresponding compensation, or that operates partially. Consider It will also advance the exploration of possibly irreversible nuclear energy extension of the Brazilian energy in the coming decades, while Brazil confirms an international trend of increased use of nuclear energy with peaceful purposes of obtaining electricity, considered the driving force of the current system of consumption and an indispensable means of social and economic development of any nation in the world. That in order to demonstrate the system of civil liability for nuclear damage is compatible with the current growth of the use of nuclear energy, since this is undisputed source of benefits, but also represents a risk to society with regard to the occurrence of nuclear accidents. The methodology used to demonstrate this hypothesis was the analysis of international conventions to which Brazil is a signatory in the field of nuclear energy, the Brazilian legislation, as well as various documents and data relevant to the topic, as well as references. / Este trabalho analisa o sistema de responsabilização civil por danos nucleares vigente no Brasil, considerando a convenção sobre pronta notificação de acidente nuclear, a convenção de Viena sobre responsabilidade civil sobre por danos nucleares e a Lei Federal n. 6.453/1977, bem como outras fontes legislativas aplicáveis ao tema. Parte-se da hipótese que o sistema de responsabilidade civil por danos nucleares vigente no Brasil precisa ser revisto por se tratar de um sistema de mais de cinquenta anos e que não absorveu mudanças consubstanciais da ciência jurídica nesse período, sobretudo, no que se refere aos direito humanos e à elevação do princípio da dignidade da pessoa humana como fundamento da República Federativa do Brasil. Nesse sentido o sistema em questão em várias situações admite o dano sem a correspondente indenização, ou que esta se opere de forma parcial. Considerar-se-á também o avanço possivelmente irreversível da exploração da energia nuclear para fins de extensão da matriz energética brasileira, nas próximas décadas, sendo que o Brasil confirma uma tendência internacional do aumento do uso de energia nuclear com a finalidade pacífica de obtenção de energia elétrica, considerada a força motriz do atual sistema de consumo e meio imprescindível para o desenvolvimento social e econômico de qualquer nação do mundo. Isso com a finalidade de se evidenciar se o sistema de responsabilização civil por danos nucleares vigente é compatível com o crescimento da exploração da energia nuclear, vez que esta é inconteste fonte de benefícios, mas representa também um risco à sociedade no que se refere à ocorrência de acidentes nucleares. A metodologia utilizada para demonstrar esta hipótese foi a análise das convenções internacionais das quais o Brasil é signatário no campo da energia nuclear, a legislação brasileira em vigor, bem como vários documentos e dados pertinentes ao tema, bem como referências bibliográficas.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T14:16:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tome Sudario Gomes Ferraz dos Santos.pdf: 447929 bytes, checksum: dbd6f9affdc34833db0931c0e0cc792f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-10-19 / Secretaria da Educação do Estado de São Paulo / This dissertation analyses a period of the Brazilian nuclear energy policy, from 1945 to the military coup of 1964. During this period Brazil sold a large amount of strategic minerals (thorium) to the United States and, although there was a national effort to control atomic energy, successive difficulties frustrated those expectations. Throughout the 20 years studied in this dissertation, it is possible to notice a strong American influence on the Brazilian nuclear policy, and the opposition between nationalistic tendencies (that intended to develop an independent nuclear technology in Brazil) and the tendencies that defended a dependency as regards the United States. It seems that the permanent conflict between those opposite forces contributed significantly to cause the downfall of the Brazilian nuclear program / Esta dissertação analisa um período da política de energia nuclear no Brasil, desde 1945 até o golpe militar de 1964. Durante esse período, o Brasil vende grande quantidade de minerais estratégicos (tório) aos Estados Unidos e, embora haja um empenho para que o país comece a dominar a energia atômica, sucessivos empecilhos frustram as expectativas. Ao longo dos 20 anos aqui estudados, nota-se a forte influência norte-americana na política nuclear brasileira, e a oposição entre tendências nacionalistas (que pretendiam desenvolver no Brasil uma tecnologia nuclear independente) e as tendências que apoiavam uma dependência dos Estados Unidos. O conflito permanente entre essas forças opostas pode ter sido um importante fator que inviabilizou o programa nuclear brasileiro de ser bem-sucedido