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Neutron Moderator and Shielding Material for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

DAICO MFG CO., LTD. Group in collaboration with the University of Tsukuba developed a MgF₂ moderator with an excellent neutron moderation performance for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Subsequently, a series of composition-modified moderators and sintered bodies mainly composed of lithium fluoride were successfully developed for shielding neutron beams. These fluoride ceramics will contribute to the use of neutron sources. We provide sintered bodies with a chemical composition optimized to the specifications of your neutron source.

Neutron Moderators

▶ Advantages and features of the products

✓ Epithermal neutron beams suitable for medical treatment can be designed using the MgF₂ or binary MgF₂-CaF₂ moderators.

✓ Harmful high-energy neutron beams can be weakened by the moderator.　

▶ Overview of products

MgF₂ sintered bodies(for linear and electrostatic accelerator-type neutron sources)

MgF₂-CaF₂ binary sintered bodies (for cyclotron accelerator-type or other-type neutron sources) 　

▶ Example specification for the MgF₂ moderator

✓ Maximum tile size: 350 mm × 350 mm × 60 mm

✓ Purity: 99% or higher

✓ Density (bulk density): 3.053 g/cm³ (≥95%)

✓ Bending strength/Vickers hardness: 13.55 MPa/200 Hv

✓ Thermal conductivity: 6.41 W/m∙K

✓ Specific heat: 1.13 kJ/kg∙K

※ Reference values (not guaranteed)　　

▶ References

1) T. Ikeda, T. Nakamura, T. Shigeoka and H. Kumada, "Development of neutron moderator made of MgF₂", The 76th Autumn Meeting of the Japan Society of Applied Physics, 16a-2W-13, 2015/09/07, Nagoya.

2) T. Ikeda, T. Nakamura and H. Kumada, "Development of neutron moderator for BNCT", The 18th Congress on Neutron Capture Therapy,1-6, 2022/10/29, Tsukuba.

Shielding Materials for Thermal Neutron

▶ Advantages and features of the products

✓ Leakage neutrons can be suppressed by the single LiF or ternary LiF-MgF₂-CaF₂ neutron shielding material,

　 reducing the activation of apparatus and peripheral devices and the exposure of patients and medical personnel

to harmful neutron beams.

✓ Dense sintered bodies that can be machined into various shapes for incorporation into BNCT.　

▶ Overview of products

Single LiF and LiF-MgF₂-CaF₂ ternary sintered bodies

LiF-MgF₂-CaF₂-¹⁰B (¹⁵⁷Gd) multicomponent sintered bodies(for shielding other kinds of neutron beams)

　　*Sintered bodies with other chemical compositions (binary system or more) not shown above would be considerable on request.

▶ Example specification for the LiF shielding material moderator

✓ Maximum tile size: 150 mm × 150 mm × 50 mm

✓ Purity: High purity starting materials are used.

✓ Bulk density : ≥95%

＊Please contact us for other detail data

▶ References

1) T. Ikeda, T. Nakamura, H. Kumada and N. Kitamura, "Development of BNCT leakage radiation shielding material", The 17th Congress on Neutron Capture Therapy", 5-3, 2021/07/10, Atami.

2) T. Ikeda, T. Nakamura, H. Kumada and N. Kitamura, "Development of Shielding JIG for BNCT", The 18th Congress on Neutron Capture Therapy,1-5, 2022/10/29, Tsukuba.

▶ Usage cases

Neutron moderators and shielding materials are key components for BNCT facilities. The developed sintered bodies were installed at several facilities such as the Ibaraki Neutron Medical Research Center.

　< We can provide various shapes for applications. >

Patent applications : A number of patents have been applied for and registered in Japan and overseas.