Takehiko Tsukahara
Future Energy Division
- Position
- Professor
- TEL
- +81-3-5734-3067
- ptsukazc.iir.titech.ac.jp
Feature of Research
Nuclear waste management plays an important role for reducing radioactive wastes. We have investigated “simple-compact environmental-friendly chemical system” using micro-nano technologies. This system makes it possible to reduce/separation/recycle of actinides and lanthanides (rare-earth elements) from radioactive wastes, and to detect quickly and highly efficiency metal ions at trace amounts of sample. The basic science of actinides and lanthanides inside nuclear reprocessing solutions and/or geological disposal environments is also studied.
Outline of Research
- Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Element Strategy
We are trying to realize novel separation/analysis technologies of actinides and rare-earth elements from radioactive wastes and urban mine. Concretely, (1) Creation of “Micro/nano chemical chip” that various chemical operations invoking mixing, reaction, extraction, separation, and detection can be integrated into micro/nano channels on a chip just like IC/LSI circuits, (2) Catch-&-release of metal ions using “Stimulus-responsive polymer” that the physicochemical properties can be controlled by changes of thermo, pH, and photo, (3) Syntheses of functional metal particles using supercritical media (Green Solvents), and so on.
- Back-end and geological disposal management
Studies on microscopic phenomena such as deterioration and dissolution of artificial barrier (glass, bentonite) and migration of radionucleides into natural barrier are quite essential. We have established experimental instruments which are modeled for artificial and natural barrier environments (high-temperatures and -pressures, acid-base, confining geometries, and various materials), and measured molecular structures and dynamics of water and radionucleids inside them by spectroscopic analysis methods.
- Creations of functional materials
Interfaces between materials and liquids play an important role for generating chemical/biochemical functions. We have created various functional materials such as biocompatible micelles, liposomes, and emulsions immobilized and enclosed radioactive drugs using supercritical fluids, and clarified their interface phenomena. Based on the insights and methodologies, radioactive drug preparation methods for drug delivery system (DDS) and/or extraction/separation methods of metal ions have been studied. Our laboratory is based on analytical chemistry, solution chemistry, and polymer chemistry, while other field students also can be welcomed. The requirement is only interest in the challenging “Creation of simple-compact environmental-friendly chemical systems”.
Keyword
Nuclear fuel cycle, Separation and Analysis, Rare-earth, Geological disposal, micro-nano technologies, supercritical fluids, functional material, responsive polymer