Editing SCK CEN (section)

==Research activities==
The Centres research activities are concentrated into the following main tracks.

=== HADES ===
In 1980, SCK CEN started the construction of an [[Underground Research Laboratory]] (URL) at 223 m below the ground level<ref>{{Cite journal |last=De Bruyn |first=Didier |last2=Labat |first2=Serge |date=2002-05-01 |title=The second phase of ATLAS: the continuation of a running THM test in the HADES underground research facility at Mol |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013795201001090 |journal=Engineering Geology |series=Key Issues in Waste Isolation Research |volume=64 |issue=2 |pages=309–316 |doi=10.1016/S0013-7952(01)00109-0 |issn=0013-7952|url-access=subscription }}</ref> to study the feasibility of geological disposal in deep clay layers in the Boom Clay Formation at the Mol site.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Craen |first=M. De |last2=Geet |first2=M. Van |last3=Honty |first3=M. |last4=Weetjens |first4=E. |last5=Sillen |first5=X. |date=2008-01-01 |title=Extent of oxidation in Boom Clay as a result of excavation and ventilation of the HADES URF: Experimental and modelling assessments |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474706508002854 |journal=Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C |series=Clays in Natural & Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement |volume=33 |pages=S350–S362 |doi=10.1016/j.pce.2008.10.032 |issn=1474-7065|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The underground laboratory was given the name [[hades|HADES]], god of the underworld in the [[Greek mythology]]. HADES is an acronym meaning: High Activity Disposal Experimental Site.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Xiangling |last1=Li  |first2=Bernard |last2=Neerdael |first3=Didier |last3=Raymaekers |first4=Xavier |last4=Sillen |title = The construction of the HADES underground research laboratory and its role in the development of the Belgian concept of a deep geological repository |journal = Geological Society, London, Special Publications |volume = 536 | issue = 1 |pages = 159-184 |year = 2023 |doi = 10.1144/SP536-2022-101 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Here, for more than 45 years,<ref name=hades/> scientists perform research on the geomechanical, geochemical, mineralogical and microbiological characteristics of Boom Clay and on the interactions between the clay and the candidate materials for the waste packages. The underground laboratory HADES is now operated by the ESV EURIDICE, an economic partnership between SCK CEN and [[NIRAS]].<ref name=hades>{{Cite journal |first1=Seif Ben Hadj |last1=Hassine  |first2=Christophe |last2=Davies |first3=Roger |last3=Garbil |title=Forty-five years of joint research programmes on geological disposal of radioactive waste and the pioneering role of the HADES Underground Research Laboratory |journal=Geological Society, London, Special Publications |volume=536 |issue=1 |pages=225-236 |year=2023 |language=en |doi=10.1144/sp536-2021-205 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Snow White ===
Since 2018, SCK CEN has commissioned a ''Snow White'' (JL-900) ''Early Warning System''. This installation aspirates 900 m<sup>3</sup> of air per hour<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Frankemölle |first=J. P. K. W. |last2=Camps |first2=J. |last3=De Meutter |first3=P. |last4=Antoine |first4=P. |last5=Delcloo |first5=A. W. |last6=Vermeersch |first6=F. |last7=Meyers |first7=J. |date=2022-12-01 |title=Near-range atmospheric dispersion of an anomalous selenium-75 emission |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X2200203X |journal=Journal of Environmental Radioactivity |volume=255 |pages=107012 |doi=10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.107012 |issn=0265-931X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> across filters. These filters are replaced and analysed on a weekly basis. Because the system sucks up large quantities of air, SCK CEN can detect very low concentrations of radioactivity in the airborne dust. In this way, radioactive emissions, even when originating from abroad, do not remain unnoticed. Detection of low concentrations may indicate an abnormal emission, such as a hidden leak, or signal a nuclear incident. Snow White successfully detected airborne [[Cs-137]] released during forest fires in the [[Chornobyl Exclusion Zone]] in [[Ukraine]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=De Meutter |first=Pieter |last2=Gueibe |first2=Christophe |last3=Tomas |first3=Jasper |last4=Outer |first4=Peter den |last5=Apituley |first5=Arnoud |last6=Bruggeman |first6=Michel |last7=Camps |first7=Johan |last8=Delcloo |first8=Andy |last9=Knetsch |first9=Gert-Jan |last10=Roobol |first10=Lars |last11=Verheyen |first11=Leen |date=2021-10-01 |title=The assessment of the April 2020 chernobyl wildfires and their impact on Cs-137 levels in Belgium and The Netherlands |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X21001600 |journal=Journal of Environmental Radioactivity |volume=237 |pages=106688 |doi=10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106688 |issn=0265-931X|hdl=1854/LU-8746469 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

=== Nuclear Materials Science ===
Research is performed to improve the knowledge, understanding, and numerical simulation of the behaviour of materials under irradiation, and from there on predicting their performance. The aim is to develop, assess and validate new materials such as nuclear fuel, construction materials, and radioisotopes to be used in nuclear applications.

=== Advanced Nuclear Systems ===
Extensive contributions are made to extend the present Belgian expertise in the field of developments related to GEN IV reactor systems and [[ITER]]. In co-operation with the industry and international research teams, R&D efforts are made to develop and test innovative reactor technologies and instrumentation. This will contribute to the construction of an experimental fast spectrum installation (MYRRHA), allowing a.o. transmutation processes to be performed.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

=== Environment, Health and Safety ===
Next to specialised R&D in the field of a.o. radiobiology and -ecology, environmental chemistry, decommissioning, radioactive waste management and disposal, SCK CEN also delivers high-quality{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} measurement services such as radiation dosimetry, calibration, and spectrometry. Policy support, decision making, and research on the integration of social aspects into nuclear research contribute to meet complex problems related to radiation protection and energy policy.

The facility has for meteorological measurements a 121.1 metres tall guyed mast.

=== Education and Training – Academy (ACA)=== 
Throughout its more than 60 years of research experience in the field of peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, SCK CEN has also conducted education and training ({{clarify|text=ACA|date=July 2021|post-text=(complicated jargon)}}). The ACA activities at SCK CEN cover a. o. reactor physics, reactor operation, reactor engineering, radiation protection, decommissioning, and waste management. Next to courses, SCK CEN also offers students the possibility to perform their research work at our{{who|date=February 2016}} laboratories and research reactors. Final-year students and Ph.D. candidates can enter a programme outlined together with a SCK CEN mentor and in close collaboration with a university promotor. Post-docs are mainly recruited in specialised research domains that reflect the priority programmes and R&D topics of our{{who|date=February 2016}} institute.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}