institute of nuclear physics
 

the Establishment Organization activities Publications Cooperations

DIRECTORS SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT
1971 – 1987 - Prof. Skender KOJA
1987 – 1990 - Prof. As. Dr. Servet DANI
1990 – 1993 - Prof. Dr. Perparim FUGA
1993 – 1994 - Prof. Dr. Dukagjin REXHA
1994 – 1999 - Prof. As. Dr. Robert KUSHE
1999 – 2000 - Prof. Dr. Xhevdet MYTEBERI
2000 – ne vazhdim- Prof. Dr. Fatos YLLI

the Establishment
The activity of the Institute of Nuclear Physics derives from the activity of the Nuclear Radiations Laboratory, established in 1970, under the decision of the Council of Ministers, No 9, date 16.1.1970.
The Institute for Nuclear Physics - INP was established in 1971, as a scientific research institution in the fields of atomic and nuclear physics, seeking the application of nuclear methods in different fields of economy and social life.
In the beginning, the Institute was under the jurisdiction of the University of Tirana and later, after the establishment of the Albanian Academy of Sciences, it became part of the Academy research institutions network.

Fields of Activity
The Institute of Nuclear Physics carry out its scientific activity in cooperation with research institutions universities and companies, through research and development projects. The main tasks of INP are to perform research activities, mainly applied research, to transmit the basic scientific knowledge and to transfer the new methods and technologies of nuclear physics and chemistry.

Directions of activities
* Research activities related with the applications of atomic and nuclear methods in different fields of economy, medicine, environment, culture, scientific research, education etc.
* Achievement and transfer of new analytical methods and techniques into the private and public sectors.
* Implementation of a special assistance in the fields of monitoring and protection from the ionising radiations.
* Graduate and postgraduate education on physics, chemistry and electronic, training of ionising radiations users through special courses.

Research activities and thematic:

* Monitoring and protection of the environment and public
INP realizes the evaluation of the radioactivity in environmental, biological and food samples for research and monitoring purposes. In this framework, it was completed the radioactivity measurements to evaluate the effects of Çernobil nuclear accident (1986) in environment and public health. The teams have conducted measurements in the north–east regions, related to the pollution from depleted uranium, as result of its use during the Kosovo conflict (1999). From many years it is evaluated the level of natural radioactivity in drinking, superficial and thermal waters systems. To protect the public health INP has completed the monitoring of radon and radioactive gases concentration in dwellings and public buildings.

* Radiological protection
Protection and safety from the ionising radiations are among the traditional activities. INP carries out the monitoring of the exposure dose for its staff and workers of centres or companies that used ionising radiations sources, keeping the exposure dose register in national level. INP performs the management of radioactive waste and consumed radioactive sources in national level too.

* Radiological emergencies
Radiological emergencies are parts of the civil emergencies are. In the Institute is already functioning the Radiological Emergencies Centre, connected to the monitoring network of radiation dose. The network consists of five automatic stations for the radiation dose measurement and its transmission to the Emergencies Centre. The automatic stations are located in Tirana, Shkodra, Kukes, KorÇa, and Vlora.

* Medicine
Among the first applications is the use of the radioactive isotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, realized in collaboration with the University Hospital Centre, (UHC). In Institute is located the Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals Production, where are prepared 99mTc cold kites and gelatinous capsules, all approved by General Directory of Drugs. Next to the Laboratory of Kit Production is another one for the quality control of the radiopharmaceuticals, which realizes the control of all the qualitative parameters.

* Geology
Using unique analytical techniques (neutron activation, X-ray fluorescence etc) the Institute achieves; multi-elemental analysis of geology and petroleum samples, determination of the absolute geological age, analysis of the carbon stable isotopes extracted from methane gas and petroleum. INP has contributed in the preparation of the Geochemical Atlas of Albania through the determination of about 25 elements in soil and sediment samples.

 

                                                        

* Hydrogeology
Study of the superficial and underground waters movements, using stable and radioactive isotopes, has started 20 years before. Last years the use of environmental, hydro-chemical and fluorescent tracers has enabled huge and complex studies on the reserves of water basins, their underground communications, water time transition, determination of water balances, etc. The results of studies show the importance of these methods, giving a new hydrological picture of these systems.

* Sedimentlogy
The study of the sea sediments and soils movement is realized by radioactive methods using environmental and short-life radioactive isotopes. Nuclear methods are used: to study the dynamics of sediments at the Bays of Durresi and Vlora, to observe the changes of coastal line, the erosion of lands and the filling up of the water basins.

* Agriculture and Biology
INP makes use of nuclear radiations for seeds stimulation, genetic mutations via physical and chemical mutagenesis in different cultivars and conservation of agricultural products. Radioactive and stable isotopes are used in agrochemical and livestock studies, rational fertilization of lands, effective use of micro and macro-elements in animal's food etc.

* Metrology
The metrology of radioactivity and X, gamma and neutron radiations fields, the sources preparations for use in industry, medicine, radioprotection etc, are among the important activities accomplished in the INP. This year with be established the Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory, which will realize specific talks in national level.

* Science of materials
By the use of specific techniques as Mössbauer Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy are realized studies on the magnetic and crystallographic structures of crystalline, nanocrystalline and amorphous materials, the structural stages of carbon, the thin layers protective coat against oxidation and corrosion etc.

* Industry
Many studies are achieved in metallurgical, chemical, glass, food industries using radioactive isotopes as tracers in technological processes as: the effectiveness of the filters in the iron-nickel metallurgy, the corrosion processes of the fire-enduring coverings in blast furnaces, the determination of the mixtures homogeneity, the uniformity and thickness control in paper industry etc. Studies and experiments are carried out for the characteristics modification of polyethylene layers and PVC tubes (memory effect) through irradiation.

* Archaeology and works of art
Analytical methods are used for evaluation of the archaeological materials origin, the preparation techniques and baking temperature of terracotta's and ceramic objects found in Illyrian settlements. The researchers have studied the pigments composition at old pictures of Albanian painters and attempted to use carbon method for dating of archaeological objects.

* Electronics and Informatics
A special team take care for the control, maintenance and parameters upgrading of electronic equipments. It is realized the design and production of detecting and measuring systems for some applications of nuclear methods in industry. The Local Area Network and the database of the scientific activities will be very soon effective.

* Legislation
INP plays a role in the preparation and improvement of Albanian legislation and has completed the preliminary work for a number of international acts, already ratified by the Albanian Parliament.

Organization
INP is organized in four scientific departments:

Department of Instrumental Analytics
* Multielemental analysis Section
* Materials structure Section
* Laboratories:
Neutron activation analysis
X ray fluorescence
Atomic absorption spectroscopy
Mössbauer spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy

Department of Technologies
* Environmental and artificial tracers Section
* Irradiation Section
* Laboratories:
Masspectrometry
Artificial tracers and hydrochemistry
Irradiated modification

 

Department of Human and Environmental Radiological Protection
* Radiological emergencies and occupational protection Section
* Public and environment protection Section
* Laboratories:
Environmental radioactivity measurement
Management of radioactive waste
Calibration of dosimetric instruments
Centre of radiological emergencies

Department of Chemistry and Electronics
* Chemistry and biology Section
* Electronics and technique Section
* Laboratories:
Production of radiopharmaceuticals
Quality control of radiopharmaceuticals
Radiochemistry
Dating by carbon method
Nuclear electronicsº

       

  

 the most Important activities
The latest important activities at INP are:
* Participation in national and regional projects,
* Establishment of laboratories for research and production as:
- Laboratories of production and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals,
- Laboratory of artificial tracers and hydrochemistry,
- Laboratory of radioactive waste, for conditioning and storage of consumed radioactive sources,
- Laboratory of Secondary Standards Dosimetry,
- Radiological Emergencies Centre and radiation dose monitoring network with 5 automatic stations,
* Realization of some projects:
- Compilation of the Geochemical Map of Albania,
- Study of a complex ecosystem, which includes the area: Erzen river - Mat river - Mali me Gropa, with hydrochemical, environmental and artificial tracers,
- Study of the communication between the Prespa lake and sources in Ohrid lake,
- The use of XRF portable system for the copper pollution evaluation in the sediments of Mat river banks,
- Monitoring of the north-eastern part of Albania regarding the presence of depleted uranium.
* Organization of national and regional training courses:
- Regional course "Radiation protection and safety in the nuclear medicine" (27 May - 7 June 2002),
- National course "Radiological emergencies response" (14 - 16 April 2003),
- National course "Detecting and combating illicit trafficking of radioactive materials" (8 - 12 December 2003).

major Publications
INP has published:
* Regulations on safety use of radioactive materials.
* Experimental laboratories of physics.
* Essentials of applied atomic and nuclear physics.
* Dosimetry and protection from the ionising radiations		 institute staff
INP has 70 employees split as fellow:
Researchers 27
Professors 8
Ass. Professors 3
Doctors 1
Assistants-Master 1
Assistants 14
Physicists, chemists, engineers 24
Administrate staff 19
 

Periodical publications
The INP has published the periodical bulletin titled: "Works of the Institute of Nuclear Physics" (1983 – 1990). The publication was interrupted due to financial difficulties. Nowadays, we are trying to publish a scientific journal "Journal of Physics and Chemistry".

Monitoring Networks
INP has established the following monitoring networks:
* Environmental radioactivity monitoring (fallout, surface waters),
* Exposure dose of professional workers monitoring,
* Radioactive contamination of import – export products monitoring,
* Heavy metals into the urban air monitoring.

Cooperation with universities
INP cooperates with:
* University of Tirana and Polytechnic University of Tirana in joined research activities, teaching and tutorial process compilation of graduated and post graduated education programmes, supervision of diploma and PhD thesis,
* Shkodra University, KorÇa University, Elbasan University and Vlora University in research and monitoring activities,
* Radiation Protection Commission, General Directorate of Metrology and Calibration, University Hospital Centre "Mother Teresa", Albanian Geological Service, etc,
* Research Centres in the European countries.

membership
According to the Decision of the Council of Ministers, No 197, date 18.3. 1996, "Networks of governmental scientific institutions", the Institute of Nuclear Physics represents the Atomic Authority of the country and is the technical adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
By the decision of the Presidency of Albanian Academy of Sciences, No 1, date 16.1.2004, is established the Board of National Atomic Authority with nine members and headed by the director of the INP.