* Directed research in the frontier areas of Nuclear and Radiochemistry including nuclear reactions, actinide chemistry, actinide spectroscopy and nuclear probes.
* Chemical quality control (CQC) of fuel and related nuclear materials with respect to:
- Tracer analysis
- Isotopic Analysis
- Bulk analysis
- Metallic and non-metallic impurity analysis
* Non-destructive assay of special nuclear material.
* Directed Research in actinide chemistry.
* Synthesis methodologies for advanced fuels.
* Radioisotope production and development of radiopharmaceuticals
* Isotope hydrology studies for water resource management Industrial applications of radioisotopes
* Radiation technology for development of materials for special applications
* Radiation applications in solid waste management
* Control and accounting of nuclear material under DAE and IAEA safeguarded facilities.
* Human resource development activities at:
- BARC Training School.
- Centre for Excellence in Basic Science (CEBS), Mumbai
- Other Institutes like Institute of Chemical technology (ICT)
A high-value small-animal SPECT-CT imaging facility procured from MILabs, The Netherlands has been commissioned and is being operated by RPhD at New Animal House facility. This machine provides scintigraphic data useful for evaluation of new radiopharmaceuticals and QC of existing products in animal models. It can also be used to evaluate other drugs and study physiological processes using known radiotracers. The CT facility may also be useful for structural studies of eligible inanimate objects or living systems.
Around 500 Ci of [177Lu] Lutetium chloride solution is produced per year and directly deployed as radiopharmaceutical precursor to a number of nuclear medicine centers across India for preparation of 177Lu-DOTATATE, 177Lu-PSMA-617 and other 177Lu-radiopharmaceuticals for cancer therapy. Around 800-1000 cancer patients were treated at RMC and TMH each year using [177Lu]Lu-chloride supplied from RPhD.
Brachytherapy is a specialized modality of cancer treatment. Iodine-125 seed sources are supplied to authorized users for the brachytherapy of eye and prostate cancer. They are prepared by incorporation of 20-130MBq Iodine-125 on palladium coated silver wires, then sealed by laser-welding within 50 micron thick titanium tubes. In case of eye brachytherapy, 10-20 sources are fixed on a gold plaque placed over eye tumor for a pre-fixed duration. For prostate brachytherapy, 60 to 100 sources are permanently implanted in the prostate gland using MICK applicator. These sources have benefited more than 175 eye cancer patients and 12 prostate cancer patients.
No Carrier Added (NCA) Cu-64 produced using Apsara-U reactor is in the final stage of obtaining regulatory clearance for use as [Cu-64] cuprous ion in non-invasive imaging of different types of cancers like prostate cancer, glioblastoma, lung cancer etc. by PET. A facile radiochemical separation technique has been developed to obtain NCA Cu-64 from irradiated ZnO target in clinically useful form.
Development of organic-organic and organic-inorganic hybrid materials for high temperature and radiation resistant applications.
Geothermal water in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Bihar were studied for the estimation of reservoir temperature and identification of possible potential recharge areas.
Measurement and modelling of residence time distributions of molten glass in an industrial solar glass production unit using radiotracers.
Analysis of a typical ceramic-to-metal assembly using digital radiographic method was carried out at the request of a user division using constant potential X-ray emission and electronic image capture device. The experiment assisted in evaluation of the design and fabrication process of such components indigenously.
Development of “First of Its Kind in India” pulsed positron beam with 22Na as positron source
From April 2019 to March 2020, a total of 714 units of irradiation were carried out in Dhruva reactor alone. These and other irradiation activities are coordinated by the Irradiation Service Group of RPhD utilizing Dhruva and Apsara-U research reactors. Facilities like tray rod, self serve and pneumatic carrier with different flux and time are made available for users depending on the need. Self serve facility for short term irradiation has helped fulfill the demands of a large number of researchers in India.
The recharge altitudes of the drying springs in mountainous regions of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Paudi Garhwal and Chamoli districts of Uttarakhand were estimated for constructing artificial recharge structure to enhance the spring discharge rates.
A MoU has been signed between BARC and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for setting up of sludge hygeinisation plant at Pune.
Flow investigations of solid phase in a pilot-scale coal gasifiers using radiotracer and radiometric methods.
Tracing groundwater flow paths in a multi-aquifer system of south middle Ganga basin of Patna district, Bihar under aquifer mapping studies is completed. Paleo recharge to deep confined aquifer is identified and interconnections between aquifers are established.
A dedicated X-ray based industrial digital imaging and volume computed tomography facility for advanced non-destructive evaluation has been upgraded and setup at DIR&ICT laboratory at HIRUP. The system is meant for research and development in computational radiation based imaging methods for industrial applications.
Development of sustainable oil/water separating multifunctional super absorbents.
Leak detection investigations are carried out in heat exchanger systems in Mathura, Vadodara and Paradip refineries of M/s IOCL using radiotracer technique. The investigations led to significant savings in revenues due to reduction in down time.
Mass distribution studies in mass region ~180 to understand single particle effect in heavy ion induced nuclear fissions
Development of all solid contact Cs+ ion selective electrode
Decay study of actinides is carried out using heavy ion beams from accelerators followed by gamma-ray spectrometry
Electon paramagnetic resonance (EPR)
Development of a "First of its kind" Pulsed positron beam in India
Separation of underwater oil using superabsorbent cotton
Industrial Electron Beam (EB) accelerator (5MeV/15kW) facility
Identification of the source and origin of geothermal springs and estimation of subsurface temperatures
Increased discharge of springs after construction of check dams and dykes in Himalayan regions
Leak detection in heat exchangers in oil refineries using radiotracers
Study of flow dynamics of solid phase in a pilot scale coal gasifier using radioisotope method
Residence time distribution of an industrial glass production unit using radiotracer method
