LASME – ENGINEERING SIMULATION AND METHODS LABORATORY
LAASC – ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND COMPUTATIONAL SIMULATION LABORATORY
LIG – UNDERGRADUATE COMPUTER LABORATORY
LMP – MONITORING AND PROCESSING LABORATORY
LMN – NUMERICAL METHODS LABORATORY
LIN – NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY
This Laboratory is directly related to teaching and research activities in the area of Applied Nuclear Physics, supporting experimental disciplines and thesis work.
Installed in an area of 450 m², it features:
At the Environmental Analysis and Computational Simulation Laboratory (LAASC), installed in block I-2000 – Sector MM2 at COPPE/UFRJ, teaching and research activities are carried out in the area of Applied Nuclear Physics. LAASC has promoted the development of research lines:
Environmental Radiological Protection
At LAASC, studies are carried out to understand radioactivity in the environment (environmental radioprotection) and to assess the environmental radiological impact. Develops research activities in high resolution gamma spectrometry of environmental samples, such as food samples (meat, grains, milk, water, among others), as well as samples of soil and naturally radioactive material (NORM) from the activities of mining and oil and natural gas exploration.
In modeling the transport of radionuclides and evaluating the impact of the release of a substance or radioactive waste in the environment, the computational codes criba are used for impact evaluation Screening Model for Environmental Assessment (CROM) and Environmental Risk from Ionizing Contaminants: Assessment and Management (ERICA ). In the computational simulation of the gamma spectrometry systems (HPGe and NAI(Tl) the Monte Carlo MCNP code and LabSOCS, a software package from Canberra that simulates efficiency curves and self-absorption coefficients without the need for radioactive sources, are used.
Modeling and Computational Simulation Applied in Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine
In computational modeling in radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, Monte Carlo techniques (MCNP and GEANT) and anthropomorphic simulators (human body) in voxels are used for dosimetric studies and three-dimensional simulation of problems involving radiotherapy treatments (teletherapy and brachytherapy), aiming at the more rigorous values of radiation doses in the diseased tissue and neighboring organs, allowing the minimization of the risks that patients may face and also contributing to the evaluation of dose in workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation.
Non-Destructive Tests with Neutrons (Neutrongraphy)
In the Neutrongraphy technique, in addition to complementing images obtained by X-rays or gammagraphy, it is used to detect defects in metallic components where there are rubbers or plastics, detection of explosives and narcotics, biological applications, inspection of heavy and thick metals, inspection of welds, among other applications.
LAASC has also sought to develop new lines of research, computational methods and experimental techniques in parallel, aiming at scientific and technological development and encouraging scientific initiation, master's and doctoral students to choose research topics that address lines of work, problems from their institutions of origin or that reflect their current personal aspirations and future professional expectations.
The Process Monitoring Laboratory (LMP) was created in 1986 and is a center of excellence dedicated to advanced research in the nuclear area, with a special focus on the application of real-time computing technologies and artificial intelligence. With an area of approximately 200 m², the LMP focuses its efforts on Human Factors Engineering, with a focus on safety and support for the operation of nuclear power plants.
Thanks to the research carried out, the LMP became a pioneer in the creation of a completely national technology, responsible for the computer systems for monitoring the safety of the Angra 1 and Angra 2 nuclear power plants. The SICA-A1 system, operational since 1989 and last updated in 2020, and the SICA-A2 system, operational since 2002 and updated in 2020, are direct results of this innovative research. Furthermore, the LMP is responsible for the development and maintenance of the Environmental Control System of Angra 1 and 2, the main plume control and monitoring system at the Almirante Álvaro Alberto Nuclear Center (CNAAA), located in the city of Angra dos Reis, in the Rio de Janeiro state.
In the laboratory, advanced systems engineering and computing techniques are applied, such as expert systems, neural networks, fuzzy logic, evolutionary, swarm, quantum-inspired and parallel computing algorithms. Research carried out includes master's dissertations (48 defended), doctoral theses (34 defended), basic research (72 articles published in journals with JCR) and (131 articles published in congresses), as well as applied research projects.
The LMP has high-performance computers equipped with GPU/CUDA processing and state-of-the-art machines, providing support for dissertations, doctoral theses and research projects. The laboratory's main lines of research are focused on the nuclear area and address topics such as artificial intelligence, optimization of complex problems, identification and diagnosis of events/accidents, digital control room design, environmental monitoring, nuclear safety, among others.
At the Process Monitoring Laboratory, we are committed to driving innovation and technological advancement in Nuclear Engineering. Our pioneering research and the development of national technologies have contributed to improving the safety and efficiency of nuclear power plants. Contact us to learn more about our research and find out how we are shaping the future of Nuclear Engineering through the application of artificial intelligence and advanced computing technologies.
Equipment for X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis:
Recent advances in computing/informatics have made it possible to solve a large number of engineering problems, which until recently were intractable from a practical point of view. This can be achieved by simulating, using numerical methods, the behavior and performance of various nuclear engineering systems.
In order to provide the minimum infrastructure necessary for the development, implementation and testing of programs to support the design and operation of engineering systems, COPPE’s Nuclear Engineering Program (PEN) created the Numerical Methods Laboratory.
Located in Block G – room 200 of the C.T. at UFRJ.
The Numerical Methods Laboratory serves PEN/COPPE students, providing them with support to develop, implement your research in postgraduate.
The Numerical Methods Laboratory has the following equipment (under conditions of use):
