J-PARC News November 2024 (Issue #235)
■Wins the Best Poster Award for Young Researcher from the Japan Society of Nuclear and Radiochemical Sciences (September 25th)
Dr. WATANABE Eisuke of the Radiation Control Section won the Best Poster Award for Young Researcher at the 68th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Nuclear and Radiochemical Sciences.
Fundamental research on radioisotopes is essential for safer radiation control at J-PARC. Dr. WATANABE investigated the mass distribution of radioactive mercury isotopes observed at the Neutrino Experimental Facility and discussed the production mechanism.
This award is given to an outstanding presenter based on a comprehensive evaluation of research content and presentation skills.
■FY2024 Kumagai Memorial Award for Vacuum Science Paper of the Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science
The 2024 Kumagai Memorial Award for Vacuum Science Paper in the Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science was presented to Dr. KAMIYA Jun-ichiro of the Accelerator Division as the author of a paper that has made a significant contribution to the advancement and development of vacuum science.
Dr. KAMIYA conducted research into vacuum and material surfaces with the aim of realizing further ultra-high vacuum in accelerators and other components. He clearly showed that heat treatment of stainless steel, the material of the components, in a high vacuum, known as vacuum firing, can reduce the gas emissions from stainless steel vacuum chambers.
Furthermore, he succeeded in elucidating the mechanism by which vacuum firing causes surface modification that reduces hydrogen gas emissions from stainless steel and prevents the adsorption of other gas molecules, which are also sources of gas emissions.
There was no awardee in 2022 or 2023, and Dr. KAMIYA was selected for the first time in three years and gave an invited talk on the award at the Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science in Fukuoka Prefecture.
■International Magnesium Science & Technology Award for Excellent Paper of the Year (November 5th).
A paper, authored by Dr. HARJO Stefanus, Dr. GONG Wu, Dr. AIZAWA Kazuya, and Dr. KAWASAKI Takuro of the Neutron Science Section, and Prof. YAMASAKI Michiaki of Kumamoto University, received the International Magnesium Science & Technology Award for Excellent Paper of the Year (2024). The award ceremony was held at the 8th International Conference on Magnesium (ICM 8) and the 13th International Conference on Magnesium Alloys and their Applications (Mg 2024) in China.
This award is given to a paper on magnesium and magnesium alloys published in the last fiscal year that made a great impact. The honor aims to promote the advancement of science and technology in the field of magnesium while encouraging more scientists and engineers to engage in magnesium-related research and development.
A press release based on this paper has also been published. :
“Why are the high-strength magnesium alloys developed in Japan so strong? “(August 15th, 2023)
■Neutron diffraction reveals the mechanism behind the dramatic improvement in the low-temperature strength of stainless steel
- Increasing strength without losing ductility by ultrafine grain refinement - (October 11th)
To improve the safety and performance of equipment used at low temperatures, materials are needed that retain sufficient strength and ductility even at low temperatures. In this study, the research group produced ultra-fine grain 304 stainless steel (UFG304) by super-fine grain refinement (less than 1 micron) of ordinary 304 stainless steel through the general processes of rolling and heat treatment. The low-temperature deformation mechanism of this UFG304 was investigated by neutron diffraction and digital image correlation using TAKUMI, the engineering materials diffractometer at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) in J-PARC. It was found that several phenomena such as changes in crystal structure and the introduction and movement of crystal defects occur step by step as the transformation temperature decreases, resulting in the superior strength and ductility of UFG304.
The results of this research show that it is possible to significantly improve the mechanical properties of other metallic materials by using general metalworking equipment to create ultra-fine grains. This is expected to lead to the development of superior structural materials for low temperatures.
■New development! Ultra-lightweight, compact and power-supply-free vacuum transfer case
- Social implementation of ultra-high vacuum technology to accelerate the development of nanomaterials and semiconductor materials -
Ultra-high vacuum technology is essential for the development of nanomaterials and semiconductor materials. High-precise analysis is essential for the study of materials produced in such ultra-high vacuum environment, and the materials must be transported to the analyzer maintaining them in vacuum to avoid of the surface oxidation or contamination.
In recent years, J-PARC has developed a technology that modifies the surface of titanium vacuum chamber so that the vacuum chamber itself acts as a getter pump to maintain an ultra-high vacuum. This time, the research group has applied this technology to develop the ultra-light (less than 6 kg) and compact vacuum transfer case that fits into a hand-held bag. This transfer case can transport material samples maintaining a high vacuum without vacuum pump and its power supply. The team has demonstrated that it is possible to transport material samples maintaining the high vacuum during the long-distance from J-PARC in Tokai Village to SPring-8 in Harima, Hyogo Prefecture, without oxidizing the surface of the material samples.
The developed transfer case can also be used for air transport, facilitating vacuum transport overseas, and is expected to be used in the field of new materials development. In addition, the ultra-high vacuum getter pump technology, which can maintain a high vacuum without the use of electricity, will make a significant contribution to a carbon-neutral, sustainable society.
■J-PARC Photo Contest 2024
The Grand Prize in the 11th J-PARC Photo Contest was awarded to Dr. Wu GONG from the Neutron Science Section for his work 'Magnesium alloy during high-temperature deformation'. This photo shows a magnesium alloy specimen undergoing high temperature tensile deformation during in situ neutron diffraction measurement at the engineering materials diffractometer "TAKUMI" in MLF. The chairperson of the jury commented: "The beautiful gradation is expressed in a uniform shade of red. The glowing parts give a sense of movement and even sound can be heard. The symmetrical composition also creates a sense of stability and allows us to look at the work with peace of mind".
■9th Symposium on the Fusion of the Humanities and Sciences
Exploring History with Quantum Beams - The Horizon of the Fusion of the Humanities and Sciences Spun by Accelerators.
The Institute for Materials Structure Research (IMS) at KEK is developing new non-destructive research methods for the study of materials in the humanities using the world's most intense negative muon beam produced at the MLF (MUSE) at J-PARC. To explore the potential of quantum beam-based interdisciplinary research by cultural heritage researchers, IMS has been organizing an annual interdisciplinary symposium since 2019, and this year's event was held at Akihabara Convention Hall on November 1st and 2nd, with 74 participants. The symposium on the first day and the morning of the second day included 12 oral presentations on a wide range of topics, including underwater archaeology and archaeological astronomy, as well as survey and analysis methods for cultural artefacts such as lacquerware production areas, pottery, Japanese swords, and excavated glass artefacts. On the afternoon of November 2nd, there were three general lectures in a hybrid face-to-face and online. Approximately 220 participants attended the general lectures in the hall and via Zoom, and questions were taken from the general audience. The event was a great success.
■15th FC-Cubic Open Symposium (November 1st)
The aim of this symposium is to share the technical issues facing the fuel cell industry and to bring together a wide range of knowledge for their solutions. This time, a tour of J-PARC was held in conjunction with the symposium, which was held at the Tokai Village Industry and Information Plaza.
The tour was attended by 40 people, who were taken to the experimental hut of the J-PARC MLF neutron beamline, and were explained the features of the experimental apparatus, sample mounting and neutron irradiation methods, and data obtained from the experiments.
About 120 people, including remote participants, attended the symposium held at the Tokai Industry and Information Plaza. Dr. KISHIMOTO Hiromichi of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. gave a presentation on research using neutrons at J-PARC to achieve high performance in the conflicting performances such as grip, wear resistance and energy saving, under the theme “Towards higher strength of tire rubber by using neutrons”. This was followed by an overview of J-PARC, an explanation of the use of neutrons and neutron imaging, and a lecture by Dr. YONEDA Masakazu of Mizuho Research & Technologies, Ltd. on global trends in advanced analysis facilities and water electrolysis/fuel cell research, and a lecture by Dr. NAGAI Yasutaka of Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc. on the use and issues of neutron scattering and imaging technology.
■The Youngsters’ Science Festival in Hitachi (October 20th )
The Youngsters’ Science Festival was held at the Hitachi Civic Center with the aim of enabling many children to experience the fun of science. The J-PARC Center hosted a workshop to build a unipolar motor using copper wire, dry batteries and neodymium magnets. The children's eyes lit up with excitement when their hand-made heart- and spiral-shaped copper wires started spinning. Many children also tried their hand at the Irritating Maze, a maze of the three accelerators at J-PARC, created by Dr. TAKAYANAGI Tomohiro of the Accelerator Division, in which a buzzer sounds when a stick hits the maze frame. The children carefully moved the stick forward so that the buzzer would not sound, but no child was able to reach the goal without sounding the buzzer.
■Exhibiting at the Nuclear Science Research Institute Open House 2024 (October 26th)
The Nuclear Science Research Institute Open House 2024 was held on the occasion of ‘Atomic Energy Day’. The event included tours of the facilities and various experiment classes to promote understanding of science and technology. The J-PARC Center exhibited a booth for the Optical kaleidoscope (craft). This craft can be completed in a short time, and when you look into the light source through the kaleidoscope, you can observe beautiful rainbow-colored spectra. We also distributed J-PARC promotional materials to the visitors and let them enjoy the experience of the Irritating Maze, which is a design of the three J-PARC accelerators, to liven up the event.
■Guest lecture at Osaka Ibaraki High School (October 19th)
Dr. KITAMURA Ryo from the Accelerator Division gave a talk entitled 'Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Beams and Accelerator Science - Life as a Researcher at a National Research Organization'. The lecture was attended by first- and second-year students, and the students who attended the lecture commented that 'I became very interested in elementary particles', 'I found accelerators fascinating', 'I was able to develop further interest in the world of elementary particles and quantum beams'.
■Muographic Investigation of Ancient Burial Mounds in Tokai
- Production of the second detector has started – (November 24th, Tokai Village Museum)
In the sixth “Muographic Investigation of Ancient Burial Mounds in Tokai” in 2024, 19 participants, from elementary to high school students, started the production of this year’s detector.
First, Dr. FUJII from the J-PARC Center gave a lecture on cosmic ray muons, explaining the mechanism of the muon detector and the production process. The participants were then divided into three groups and, after reviewing the procedures in the instruction manual, began to build the second muon detector with the assistance of experts and students from Ibaraki University. Aiming to complete the detector by the end of this fiscal year, they will continue to work steadily and with concentration over the next few months.
■J-PARC Sanpomichi 52 -Extracurricular activities lubricate our work.-
J-PARC is a huge research facility with more than 700 employees. People from different organizations such as the Japan Atomic Energy Agency and the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, as well as from related companies, come together. Their jobs range from research to facility and safety management, administration and public relations.
Many people participate in the extracurricular activities at J-PARC. There is a slow-paced mountain-walking club with 66 members, as well as other clubs for long-distance mountain-walking, running, motorcycling, amateur radio, cycling, yoga, skiing/snowboarding, and playing musical instruments. As the facility is in operation 24 hours a day, regardless of weekends and holidays, people who are able to get together and enjoy activities in a friendly atmosphere, transcending the barriers of affiliation and occupation.
Club membership is not limited to those directly involved with J-PARC. Neighbors, users and those not directly involved with J-PARC are also welcome to join.
