SUT discussed academic affairs and research collaboration on nuclear technology with CIAE

On Monday 14th May 2018, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Weerapong Pairsuwan, Rector of Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) and SUT executives visited China Institute Atomic Energy (CIAE) with an aim to discuss the collaboration on the research and development of nuclear physics, nuclear engineering and nuclear technology. Prof. Guotu Ke, Director of the Science and Technology Committee, Prof. Hongyi Yang, Director of Reactor Engineering Research and Design Department, Prof. Yigio Li, Director of Miniature Neutron Research Reactor Division and other CIAE executives were present to welcome the SUT team.

CIAE executives presented the institute’s outstanding researches on nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, nuclear engineering and nuclear reactors. Moreover, they also gave presentations on their particle accelerators, pharmaceutical rays and ray protection technologies. In addition, many applications in medicines, logistics and the development of space vehicles were also introduced.

SUT team had chance to visit China Experimental Fast Reactor (CEFR), which is a reactor of the size 65 MW, which could be made into a nuclear power plant of 20 MW. SUT members also had a chance to see a 60 MW China Advanced Research Reactor (CARR), which can be used in many research areas such as nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, neutron scattering, material analysis by neutron irradiation, photography using neutron and isotope production for medical disciplines. Furthermore, there was an opportunity to see In Hospital Neutron Irradiation (IHNI), Miniature Neuron Source Reactor (MNSR) and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for treating skin cancer.

After visiting the nuclear physics laboratories, both SUT and CIAE executives discussed collaboration on the research and development of nuclear physics, engineering and other technologies related to nuclear reactors. Staff exchange, researcher exchange, student exchange as well as training for the operation of SUT-MNSR were also discussed. SUT-MNSR has been designed for usage in many researches such as material analysis by neutron irradiation.

The SUT-MNSR was designed to have four horizontal systems to transport neutrons, with the lower transportation used for BNCT. This MNSR, produced by CIAE, provided high safety and has been used in many parts of China, such as Xinan, Shanghai and Shenzhen. In these three Chinese provinces, the nuclear reactors are located in the rural area. Other countries that have CIAE-produced nuclear reactors include Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria and Syria.

The discussion between SUT and CIAE featured the possibility of co-developing curricula in nuclear physics, nuclear engineering and nuclear technologies. SUT has proposed the invitation to CIAE for visiting professors to take part in teaching and supervising postgraduate students.