Research

The project considers nanocarriers as a case study for novel materials that pose challenges for chemical regulation and regulatory risk assessment. To this end, the project will conduct extensive research on existing and newly developed nanocarriers and their (potential) applications. On this basis, a systematic compilation will be prepared. From the overview thus obtained, exemplary nanocarriers are to be selected for further investigation which, with regard to their appearance or their application, are expected to pose particular challenges for environmental assessment. For these selected nanocarriers, test strategies are to be developed and implemented that will enable an investigation of their environmental behavior and the possible release of the transported active ingredient under environmentally relevant conditions. In this way, the influence of encapsulation on the change in the environmental behavior of active substances will be determined as an example and the implications for an appropriate evaluation of the environmental behavior in the context of risk assessment will be described in more detail.

The project for the Federal Ministry of Climate Action (BMK) consists in participation in the "Nuclear Safety Standard Committee (NUSSC)" of the "International Atomic Energy Agency" IAEA. The work includes the development, evaluation and revision of standards on the safety of nuclear installations as representative of Austria. In concrete terms, the preparation, the general coordination of the positions on the individual agenda items with the "Nuclear Coordination", BMNT the active participation in meetings, and a subsequent written report. The project offers the opportunity to reflect the state of science and research, and possibly beyond, through appropriate work in the said committee in the international safety standards for nuclear installations. The prerequisite for this is the nomination of an expert by the competent national authority and acceptance of the nomination by the head of the "Nuclear Safety and Security" department of the IAEA. Nikolaus Müllner was nominated for this project by BMNT, Nuclear Coordination, and was accepted by Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA.

The subject of the framework agreement is providing expert opinions on nuclear technology and nuclear policy issues. The framework agreement is valid for a period of 3 years. Research is carried out in connection with the construction of new nuclear power plants, with power increases or extensions of the operating life of existing nuclear power plants, with plants in the fuel cycle area, in particular treatment plants for radioactive waste, with interim storage facilities for radioactive waste. In the course of expert workshops, which are optionally agreed upon on a bilateral level after an EIA procedure, positions on questions concerning the site and hazard situations from internal or external impacts, dispersion calculations for accidents, I&C questions, aspects of radiation protection will be drawn up.