Nuclear chemistry session covers a variety of basic research and applications on chemistry, physics, and other related topics studied using nuclear reactions, decays, and radioactive isotopes. Topics involved in the session are Chemistry of radioactive elements; Chemistry and physics with radioactive isotopes; Production of radioactive isotopes and their applications; Nuclear structure, reactions, fission, and decays; Radiation measurements; Developments of new techniques; Theoretical studies for nuclear chemistry and physics; etc.

The analysis of radionuclides in materials has become possible by the development of chemical separation techniques and the increased sensitivity of analytical instruments, enabling highly selective trace analysis. The methods of radioanalytical chemistry are indispensable tools in many fields, including chemistry, physics, medicine, pharmacy, biology, archaeology, geology, and engineering. In addition, nuclear forensics, which analyzes the composition, physical and chemical forms, etc. of nuclear, radioactive, and related materials to estimate the source of nuclear materials and nuclear activities, is an important technique to support nuclear security. In this session, we invite presentations on the latest technological developments in radioanalytical chemistry and nuclear forensics and their application to actual sample analysis in various fields.

This session treats the chemistry related with spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, nuclide separation, waste management and disposal, and decommissioning including Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (1F). In addition, the actinide chemistry field is also treated in this session, since the actinide chemistry is one of the important fundamentals supported for nuclear science and technology.

Nuclear probe science is a research field that investigates the properties of materials (internal magnetic field, local structure, lattice defects, dynamic behavior of probes and their surroundings, elemental composition, etc.) from a microscopic viewpoint by detecting the radiation emitted from unstable nuclei and elementary particles as probes during their decay and annihilation processes. Nuclear spectroscopic techniques such as Mössbauer, perturbed angular correlations, positron annihilation, μSR, and β-NMR are powerful tools to obtain local information of a wide range of materials: functional metal compounds (magnetic materials, semiconductors, etc.), soft matter (polymers, biomaterials, etc.), and cosmochemical and geochemical samples (meteorites, rocks, etc.). In this session, we invite presentations of research on physical and chemical properties based on radiation detection including the use of unstable nuclear beams and new radiation detection methods.

Activation analysis is an effective and useful inorganic analytical method. This session will cover presentations on neutron activation analysis, photon activation analysis, charged particles activation analysis, prompt gamma activation analysis, non-destructive analysis using muon, activation analysis with chemical separation before or after irradiation, and applications of activation analysis to cosmochemical, geochemical, environmental, industrial research.

This session is open to a wide range of life science and bioscience topics, from basic to applied research. Specifically, studies involving the use of radiation and radioisotopes across various scales—from microorganisms to plants, animals, and interactions among organisms, communities and ecosystems—are highly welcomed. The use of radiation and radioisotopes includes imaging and tracer applications as well as studies of radiation effects such as DNA damage and radiation breeding. We also welcome presentations on the development of methods related to the use of radiation and radioisotopes.

Elucidating the dynamics of radionuclides is not only important for human safety and security, such as in understanding the material cycle of the regional and global environment, geological disposal of radioactive waste, and decommissioning of nuclear power plants, but also has a broader impact through the establishment of methods for using radionuclide tracers in the environment. We invite applications for basic research and all types of applied research related to elucidating the dynamics of radionuclides in the environment.

Radiochemistry is not only one of the fields of chemistry, but also basics for nuclear industry and nuclear medicine in the 21st century. However, radiochemistry is not necessarily mainstream chemistry, and some universities do not even offer radiochemistry courses. In this situation, we must foster students who can broadly and deeply develop this academic field. We also must provide education that makes students aware of the appeal of radiochemistry and increase the number of radiochemists and radiation workers. Meanwhile, radiation itself has become a common subject in the nuclear ages. Therefore, it is necessary to improve radiation literacy in society, and it is important to develop human resources who can disseminate radiation information from a neutral standpoint. This session treats a variety of attempt for education of radiochemistry, education of radiation itself, and the education and training for radiation workers. The education of radiation itself is various from the schools (general education courses at the university and the education at elementary school, junior and senior high school) to the public. Various practice examples of education and outreach activities are welcomed. We would also like to hear comments from young scientists.

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The 7th period of the periodic table has been completed with the extension to oganesson (Og, atomic number 118), and the search for new elements is progressing into the 8th row. This special session will focus on recent advances in the synthesis and chemistry of the heaviest elements of the periodic table, and explore the nuclear and chemical properties of these frontier elements that have been studied at the single-atom level. It aims to stimulate discussion on recent advances in the synthesis, chemical properties, experimental techniques, and theoretical models of superheavy elements, with key discussion points including how the heaviest elements can exist and how strong relativistic effects affect their chemical and atomic properties.

Radioactivity, radiation, and radionuclides are not only the subjects of research themselves but are also applied in a wide range of fields. In addition to their use in the life sciences as a powerful tool to unravel the mechanisms of life and the process of evolution, in recent years there has been a lot of activity in the application of radioactive decay modes and the energy of radiation in the field of healthcare, particularly in nuclear medicine. The ripple effects are being discussed not only in scientific discussions about the substance itself, but also as a means of solving social issues in areas such as healthcare and the economy, showing that radiochemistry still plays an important role in the modern world, some 140 years after the discovery of radiation and radioactivity.
This special session will focus on understanding the progress of chemistry using radionuclides related to medicine and will include presentations and discussions on the following topics related to the fundamentals and applications of radiopharmaceuticals.
(a) Production and separation of radionuclides for medical applications
(b) Development of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and treatment
(c) Diagnosis and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases using radiopharmaceuticals
(d) Tackling social issues related to the development of radiopharmaceuticals

Thirteen years have passed since the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident, and the issues that have gradually become evident are difficult to address with a scientific and technological approach alone, and approaches from various fields, especially social science, are becoming increasingly important. Therefore, it is important to move away from an academic perspective and gather and discuss related outreach activities and outreach-like activities from various fields, especially overseas responses, in one session. The Fukushima accident has made us aware of biased public perception of radiation and radioactivity, a lack of trust in natural science, and distrust in scientists. The aim of this session is to summarize the various outreach activities that have been carried out in response to these realities, with a view to the future.