Hungarian Fine-to-Coarse Aggregate, a Possible Constituent of Near-Vessel Structural Concrete of Nuclear Power Plants.

Significant gravel mines, representative of four regions of Hungary (northeast, central, northwest, and southwest) were systematically sampled to characterize their sand and pebbles as potential constituents of nuclear-grade concrete. The samples were analysed for their elemental compositions as a function of the mining locality and grain size, using two complementary neutron-based analytical techniques, prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) and neutron activation analysis (NAA). The combined analysis resulted in reliable mass fractions for over thirty elements that could be used to assess the radiation shielding and activation properties of the resulting concrete, essential in nuclear applications, by means of computer simulations.

Characterization of Simulated Liquid Radioactive Waste in a New Type of Cement Mixture.

There is still a safety challenge for the long-term stabilization of nuclear waste. Due to its affordable price and easy manufacturing, cement is one of the most promising materials to immobilize a large volume of low- and intermediate-level radioactive liquid waste. To investigate the effect of borate on the cementation of radioactive evaporator concentrates and to provide more data for solidification formula optimization, simulated liquid waste in various concentrations was prepared.

Hidden behind the mask: An authentication study on the Aztec mask of the Museum of Ethnography, Budapest, Hungary.

Turquoise covered mosaic objects - especially masks - were attractive components of treasures transported to Europe from Mexico after the fall of the Aztec Empire in the 1500s. According to our present knowledge, the mosaic masks were manufactured for ritual purpose. The main material of mosaics, the turquoise was a high-prestige semi-precious stone among Mexican native people.

Shedding Light on Roman Glass Consumption on the Western Coast of the Black Sea.

The chemical composition of 48 glass finds from Histria and Tomis, Romania, chiefly dated to the 1st-4th c. AD, was determined using prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) at the Budapest Neutron Centre (BNC). Most fragments have composition typical for the Roman naturally colored blue-green-yellow (RNCBGY) glass; Mn-colorless, Sb-colorless, and Sb-Mn colorless glass finds were evidenced, too.

Archaeometallurgical characterization of the earliest European metal helmets.

Archaeometric analyses on conical and decorated cap helmets from the Bronze Age are presented. The helmets are dated to the 14-12th century BC according to associated finds in hoards. Alloy composition, material structure and manufacturing processes are determined and shed light on the earliest development of weaponry production in Central and Eastern Europe.