New Century Award for Young Researchers

2025.01.27

Dr. Kayo Yanagisawa of the Research Group for Nuclear Chemistry received the “New Century Award for Young Researchers” from the Kanto Branch of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry for “Analysis of trace elements and radioisotopes using ICP-MS combined with flow injection analysis”.

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is widely used in various fields, including nuclear engineering. However, conventional methods for radioisotopes require complicated preparation, skilled operators, and constant attention to avoid radioactive contamination and exposure when handling radioactive standards. In this study, a new automatic analysis that does not require standards was developed by combining an automated sample preparation system with isotope dilution method. This method was successfully applied to the automated analysis of difficult-to-measure Sr-90 and to the quantitative mapping analysis of trace elements. These achievements contribute to making the analysis of trace elements and radioactive isotopes using ICP-MS simpler, faster, and less skilled, while also enhancing safety in the decommissioning of the Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant, radioactive waste disposal, and environmental radiation monitoring.