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An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Physical Measurement Laboratory Fiscal Year 2015 (2016) / Chapter Skim
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7 Radiation Physics Division
Pages 36-41

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From page 36...
... There is additional strong input from industry, with direct interaction that impacts the quality control and regulatory compliance of American business and supports international leadership in radiation treatment machines, scanners, radioactivity measurement devices, and dosimeters. Through intragovernment committees, there is direct input to specialized radiation and regulatory needs that positively impacts mandated responsibilities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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From page 37...
... . The key mission of the Radioactivity Group is to develop and maintain state-of-the-art high- and low-level radioactivity detection methodology, including gamma, beta, and alpha counting and spectroscopic capabilities, often based on first-principles methodology that directly measures key radioactive emissions by multiple cross checks and approaches in order to maximize confidence in assay accuracy.
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From page 38...
... The group has a list of potential research projects that can be pursued if funding is available. Some of the recent accomplishments of the Radioactivity Group include maintaining continuous standardization of approximately 30 distinct radionuclides as primary standards linked to nuclear medicine.
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From page 39...
... Some of the unique equipment can be operated optimally only by a highly expert single individual, and there is relatively little time to train more junior staff in the proper use of certain specialized equipment and counting devices. A stronger training program that involves students and postdoctoral researchers in each of the critical standards activities would help fill the personnel gap that now exists, and it would provide intelligent, willing workers who learn on the job in the unique NIST environment.
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From page 40...
... The fundamental neutron research program has a high profile in the U.S. nuclear physics program, as delineated in the long-range plans periodically released under the auspices of DOE and NSF, most recently in 2015.
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From page 41...
... In addition to published research papers and conference presentations, the calibrations and the distribution of standard reference materials are universally recognizable products. Many guest researchers come to NIST to take part in the fundamental neutron physics program and to collaborate with personnel in the Radiation Physics Division.
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Key Terms

  • nuclear medicine
  • ionizing radiation
  • fundamental neutron
  • radiation physics
  • radioactivity measurement

  • radiation measurements
  • radioactivity standards
  • critical standards
  • physics division
  • physics program

  • calibration services
  • performs work
  • neutron research
  • radiation measurement
  • nuclear regulatory

  • radiation dosimetry
  • secondary standards
  • primary standards
  • nuclear forensic
  • proper radioactivity

  • physics metrology
  • standards activities
  • recent accomplishments
  • forensic standards
  • key mission

  • common radionuclides
  • standard reference
  • maintaining existing
  • various professional
  • reference materials


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