Description
Objectives
To provide the students with a set of skills that will allow the understanding of the basic principles of Nuclear Chemistry and Radiochemistry, and its applications in different areas (e.g. Medicine, Biology, Chemistry, Archeology, Geology, Energy, etc.). Therefore, this course will give basic knowledge on the chemical properties of the most relevant radionuclides and on the methods used for their separation. It will address how the chemical properties and speciation affect the radionuclide behavior in natural or anthropogenic systems. It will demonstrate the importance of Nuclear Chemistry in the production of radionuclides, namely those with relevance for the development of radiopharmaceuticals. It will describe the basic principles of chemistry under radiation and its applications. It will present and discuss advanced nuclear analytical techniques, showing their important role in different areas such as Biomedical Sciences, Environment, Cultural Heritage and Advanced Materials.
Syllabus
Module 1 - Nuclear and chemical properties of the most relevant radioactive elements - Methods for the separation and identification of natural radionuclides - Influence of chemical properties and speciation on the behavior of the radionuclides in anthropogenic systems - Accelerators and nuclear reactors: applications in Energy, Medicine, Materials and Environment - Production of medically relevant radionuclides: nuclear reactions and targetry - Radiopharmaceuticals and their applications Module II - Radiation chemistry: methods of irradiation, reactions and applications - Radiotracers in Chemistry - Advanced Nuclear Analyical Methods and their applications in Biomedical Sciences, Environment, Cultural Heritage and Materials.
Cross Competence Component
- The “Radiochemistry” course addresses topics relevant for several domains (e.g. biomedical sciences, cultural heritage, environment) that can contribute for different SNG set out by the UN. These topics will be presented in an integrated way using relevant scientific publications, while putting in a historical context their impact in science and society. Therefore, it will contribute to improve the capability of the students to express themselves, and discuss in a critical fashion, about the uses and applications of nuclear sciences and technology, which imply important ethical issues. - Promotion of other interpersonal and intrapersonal skills (e.g, organizational capabilities and teamwork), namely through the laboratory courses. - The transversal competences will contribute to roughly 20% of the students evaluation.
Laboratorial Component
The laboratory classes will complement the topics focused on the theoretical courses and will comprise the following main activites: i) measurement of radioactivity/dose calibrator/gamma counter; ii) radiochromatographic techniques for the determination of radiochemical purity; iii) elution of radionuclide generators (eg. 99Mo/99mTc generator); iv) radiosynthesis methods using different radioisotopes (e.g. radiometals and radioactive iodine); v) gamma spectrometry/determination of radionuclide purity; vi) liquid scintillation/14C dating.
Ethical Principles
All members of a group are responsible for the group´s work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.