Use of nano-concrete tech mooted to protect nuclear structures
By G.Janardhana Rao, Business Editor
Visakhapatnam: Nuclear reactors' structures can be protected from cracks with the use of nano-concrete technology, according to founder director of Institute for Solid Waste Research and Ecological Balance (INSWAREB) N Kalidas.
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Kalidas and Bhanumathi, head of Vizag based research organisation INSWAREB, claimed that their experiments have shown that nano-concrete can effectively shield nuclear reactors from radiation.
Kalidas said they conducted these experiments based on research by the University of Tokyo they found that radiation from nuclear reactors causes cracks in the concrete used. In 2024, research at the University of Tokyo showed that radiation emitted from a nuclear reactor transforms the crystalline material in the concrete into an amorphous phase, enlarging the mineral particles and causing cracks. The University of Tokyo published several papers on this. W
To prevent these cracks, they proposed nano-concrete technology. This involves mixing fly ash and cement with radiation-resistant chemicals to create a protective layer with high-density aggregates, he said. These findings may be used to protect reactors globally. Their research has identified that the radiation emitted by nuclear reactors causes cracks in the concrete used in their construction., he said.
He said they brought their findings to the attention of senior officials in the central government. Responding promptly, the government forwarded the experimental details to the Chairman of the Department of Atomic Energy. After reviewing them, the Chairman decided to give the research a practical shape and assigned the responsibility to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Nagesh said
Kalidas said over the past 35 years they have been conducting fly‑ash research and have confirmed that when fly‑ash containing amorphous material is combined with cement, the strength and durability of concrete increase. Bhanumati Kalidas analysed that when fly‑ash is irradiated, its crystalline component converts into an amorphous material and expands two‑ to three‑fold, and that mixing this with cement can increase cement production two‑ to three‑fold. These findings are expected to serve as a case study for other countries, he added.
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