Integration into Society
Three Priority Areas
for Ookuma Diamond Device
01 Nuclear Decommissioning / Nuclear Power
Challenges in achieving decommissioning
Measuring neutron radiation inside the reactor during fuel debris removal
In the decommissioning work at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the removal of fuel debris is an extremely critical challenge. Fuel debris contains nuclear fuel, and under certain conditions there is a possibility of “recriticality,” where nuclear fission could resume in a chain reaction. In the event of such an occurrence, the decommissioning plan would face severe setbacks. It is therefore essential to measure the neutrons emitted by the fuel debris and quickly and accurately determine any signs of recriticality. However, the inside of a reactor is an environment with extremely high radiation levels, where conventional electronic devices are destroyed in a short time, and where gamma-ray interference significantly reduces the accuracy of neutron measurements.
Issues in the handling of fuel debris and the challenges of interim storage facilities
The storage and disposal of removed fuel debris is also a major challenge. The total amount of fuel debris is estimated to be around 880 tons, yet securing the facilities and space needed to store and process this massive quantity safely over the long term is said to be extremely difficult.
Accelerating fuel debris removal with diamond detectors
Our diamond detectors can be engineered to withstand the highest radiation environments inside a reactor, enabling their use without shielding. In addition, they are minimally affected by gamma rays and can detect neutrons with high precision, allowing neutron dose measurements during fuel debris removal and enabling rapid risk assessment. This makes the removal process safer and faster, helping the decommissioning plan proceed without delays. Furthermore, if these detectors can be used to sort fuel debris, the scale of nuclear waste processing facilities could be significantly reduced, potentially cutting the previously anticipated costs by several trillion yen.
FUTURE
Beyond decommissioning:
a future made possible through the application of diamond semiconductors
02 Space / Defense
Diamond semiconductors enable longer and higher-resolution Earth observation from space, making it possible to capture more detailed images. They can also be applied to radar systems for aircraft and other platforms, contributing to broader and safer operations.
03
Next-Generation Communications
(Beyond 5G / 6G)
To realize widespread adoption of Beyond 5G/6G, semiconductor technologies capable of transmitting large volumes of data over long distances are essential. Diamond semiconductors overcome thermal constraints to make this possible, contributing to the deployment and expansion of next-generation communications.
