This publication was developed as an informational guide for soil moisture mapping at landscape level through a portable ‘backpack’ cosmic ray neutron sensor. This recently developed device monitors soil water content in a non-invasive way using background neutron counts. It is used to measure water content in the topsoil over wide areas, covering approximately 20 hectares with a single measurement. Through its mobility and by combining a series of measurements, this device provides the spatial variability of the soil water content for better agricultural water management. The publication provides scientists, technicians and students with the necessary information, guidance and steps to calibrate, validate and deploy this portable cosmic ray neutron sensor.

This publication was developed based on the results of an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP) and will serve as a reference to those potentially involved in conversion of research reactors from high enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU). The publication contains comprehensive design and safety analyses for the conversion of miniature neutron source reactors (MNSRs) and includes analyses that were performed by MNSR operating organizations participating in the CRP using data specific to their MNSR. The outcome of this CRP can therefore be used to provide best practice guidelines in preparation for conversion of research reactors by individual research reactor operating organizations, and as a procedural and methodological reference for regulatory bodies and other stakeholders involved in the conversion of research reactors.

The World Distribution of Uranium Deposits (UDEPO) is a database of technical, geographical and geological characteristics of worldwide uranium deposits. This publication presents and describes modifications made since 2009. It presents a preliminary statistical and tabular analysis of the data for the first time, with a view to ensuring that the data are robust enough to serve as a basis for more sophisticated analysis in the future. This is supported by a detailed explanation of the structure of the database to better understand the nature of the data as a form of metadata. Furthermore, some basic graphical representations of the statistical and spatial distribution of the database are presented for the first time.

With the increased level of investigation into uranium deposits in recent years, a wealth of new information has become available, which has made it possible to investigate some of the least understood aspects of uranium metallogeny. This publication defines a new classification scheme, which is simple and descriptive, but flexible enough to encompass the recent advances in our understanding of uranium geology and deposit genesis. It contains improved definition of the deposit types, supported by type examples of those deposits for which good data are available, but not well described in previous literature. Along with the descriptive information, new data on uranium resources available for each deposit type are also provided.

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is a powerful technique for determining bulk composition of major and trace elements. Automation may contribute significantly to keep NAA competitive for end users. It provides opportunities for a larger analytical capacity and a shorter overall turnaround time if large series of samples have to be analysed. This publication documents and disseminates the expertise generated on automation in NAA during a coordinated research project (CRP). The CRP participants presented different cost-effective designs of sample changers for gamma ray spectrometry as well as irradiation devices, and were able to construct and successfully test these systems. They also implemented, expanded and improved quality control and quality assurance as a cross­cutting topical area of their automated NAA procedures. The publication serves as a reference of interest to NAA practitioners, experts and research reactor personnel, but also to various stakeholders and users interested in basic research and/or services provided by NAA. The individual country reports are available on the CD-ROM attached to this publication.

This publication is a compilation of the main results and findings of an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP). In particular, it discusses an innovative variation of neutron activation analysis (NAA) known as large sample NAA (LSNAA). There is no other way to measure the bulk mass fractions of the elements present in a large sample (up to kilograms in mass) non-destructively. Examples amenable to LSNAA include irregularly shaped archaeological artefacts, excavated rock samples, large samples of assorted ore, and finished products, such as nuclear reactor components. Advantages of LSNAA applications, limitations and scientific and technological requirements are described in this publication, which serves as a reference of interest not only to NAA experts, research reactor personnel and those considering this technique, but also to various stakeholders and users such as researchers, industrialists, environmental and legal experts, and administrators.

This publication introduces the general principles underlying the provision of technical and scientific support to a regulatory body and the characteristics of organizations providing such support. It describes the services provided to support regulatory functions as well as the associated activities and processes to maintain the needed level of expertise, state of the art tools and equipment. It is the first IAEA publication dedicated to the specific practices and challenges to be met by the technical and scientific support organizations.

These proceedings present the outcomes of a workshop convened by the IAEA in 2015. The workshop brought experts together in seismology and earthquake engineering to discuss the applicability of so-called physics based fault rupture models to generate synthetic earthquake ground motion data for meaningful extrapolation of ground motion prediction in areas where there is a lack of sufficient observations. Fault rupture modelling is recommended for estimating strong motion in cases where nearby faults contribute significantly to the seismic hazard for nuclear installations. The overall aspects and process of the modelling and ground motion simulation are described in IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-9, Seismic Hazards in Site Evaluation for Nuclear Installations, published in 2010. However, after the massive earthquake in Japan in 2011, there has been further progress in physics based fault rupture modelling. Therefore, the IAEA arranged this workshop and the publication arising from it. The intention is to provide practical, up-to-date information contributing to effective seismic hazard analysis.

This publication compiles the output and findings of a technical meeting organized by the IAEA. The use of personal computer based basic principle simulators in education and training is aimed at enhancing understanding of nuclear technologies through 'learning by doing'. This hands-on experiential training is highly suitable for operators, maintenance technicians, suppliers, regulators, students and engineers. Experts from 21 Member States, together with IAEA staff, presented the current status of the personal computer based basic principle simulators and their applications in education and training, and identified relevant gaps and needs for improvements and/or new development. The resultant publication includes summaries of the presentations, follow-up discussions as well as conclusions and recommendations for possible future activities.

Member States have recognized the increasing need to model future nuclear power scenarios in order to develop strategies for sustainable nuclear energy systems. The IAEA Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impacts (MESSAGE) code is a tool that supports energy analysis and planning in Member States. This publication documents the experience gained in modelling and scenario analysis of nuclear energy systems using the MESSAGE code through various case studies performed by the participating Member States on evaluation of and planning for nuclear energy sustainability at the regional or national level. The publication also elaborates on experience gained in modelling of global nuclear energy systems with a focus on specific aspects of collaboration among technology holder and technology user countries and the introduction of innovative nuclear technologies. It presents country case studies covering a variety of nuclear energy systems based on a once-through fuel cycle and a closed fuel cycle for thermal reactors, fast reactors and advanced systems. The feedback from case studies proves the analytical capabilities of the MESSAGE model and highlights the path forward for further advancements in the MESSAGE code and nuclear energy system modelling.

This publication is intended to assist those Member States with limited decommissioning expertise, to estimate the overall cost of decommissioning during the early planning stages. The lack of published data has made it difficult to benchmark estimated costs against international practice. The DACCORD (data analysis and collection for costing of research reactor decommissioning) project was established to address this deficiency. Based on the outcome of the three main working groups, this publication provides representative input data and benchmarking data needed for the costing of research reactor decommissioning at preliminary planning stages. All detailed cost cases considered in the DACCORD project are presented in a special format, following a software tool, developed by the IAEA, and which helps to ensure uniformity of the presented data and generally to facilitate the analysis of the available information.

The IAEA supports its Member States to increase the utilization of their research reactors. Small and medium sized reactors are mostly used for neutron activation analysis (NAA). Although the markets for NAA laboratories have been identified, demonstration of valid analytical results and organizational quality of the work process are preconditions for expanding the stakeholder community, particularly in commercial routine application of this powerful technique. The IAEA has implemented a new mechanism for supporting NAA laboratories in demonstrating their analytical performance by participation in proficiency testing schemes by interlaboratory comparison. This activity makes possible the identification of deviations and non-conformities, their causes and the process to implement effective approaches to eliminate them. Over 30 laboratories participated between 2010 and 2015 in consecutive proficiency tests organized by the IAEA in conjunction with the Wageningen Evaluating Programmes for Analytical Laboratories (WEPAL) to assess their analytical performances. This publication reports the findings and includes lessons learned of this activity. An attached CD-ROM contains many individual participating laboratory papers sharing their individual results and experience gained through this participation.