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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
You-Jin Jung, Jaesik Hwang, Jei-Won Yeon, Bong Hyun Boo, Kyuseok Song
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 172 | Number 2 | October 2012 | Pages 202-207
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE11-98
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The dispersion properties of boron carbide (B4C) microparticles in aqueous media were investigated by measuring the particle size distribution, the dispersibility, and the zeta potential as these properties relate to their application as neutron absorbers in fuel-storage pool water. The B4C powder is composed of particles with a narrow size distribution, with a d50 (mean diameter) of 0.65 m. The amount of B4C particles dispersed decreased exponentially with increasing dispersion time. The dispersibility of B4C particles increased with an increase in the loading of B4C particles and reached a maximum value at 12.91 wt%. The zeta potential of the B4C suspension was measured as a function of pH and temperature. The B4C suspension has a negative zeta potential value in the pH range between 2 and 12. The dispersion of B4C particles was not greatly influenced by the addition of boric acid (H3BO3). The absolute value of the zeta potential decreased with increasing temperature.
