Technological lessons from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi accident

Dion-Schwarx, C.; Evans, S.; Geist, E.; Harold, S.W.; Koym, V.R.; Savitz, S.; Thrall, L.

This study draws lessons from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi disaster in Japan in March 2011 regarding technological countermeasures to radioactive contamination in order to improve responses to future radiological or nuclear contingencies. Specifically, the report analyzes how technologies were used successfully and identifies capability gaps that could be redressed through novel technologies or improved use of existing technologies.

The key findings of the publication are related to:

characterizing the extent of contamination
preventing radiation damage and further dispersion of material
decontamination and collection of radioactive material
disposing of contaminated materials
robotic issues
While astounding societal technological progress has been made in the 25-plus years since the Chernobyl disaster, the authors highlight that many of the nuclear mitigation techniques first used by the Soviets in 1986 have changed surprising little.