Neutron NewsVolume 25 • Number 4 • 2014 3The production of radioisotopes in the Brazilian research reactors has a limited capacity leading to a high dependence on external supply. In order to overcome this issue and due to the high age of these research reactors, in 2010 the Brazilian Nuclear Commission decided to develop a new research reactor for radioisotope production, nuclear materials and fuel irradiation testing and neutron beam science. Regarding the last purpose, the Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor (RMB) has been designed to provide thermal and cold neutron beams using neutron guides to transport neutrons to a large hall of instruments. This article describes the main characteristics of the RMB project.

A novel approach to artificial neural networks is presented. The philosophy of this approach is based on two aspects: the design of task-specific networks, and a new neuron model with multiple synapses. The synapses' connective strengths are modified through selective and cumulative processes conducted by axo-axonic connections from a feedforward circuit. This new concept was applied to the position control of a planar two-link manipulator exhibiting excellent results on learning capability and generalization when compared with a conventional feedforward network. In the present paper, the example shows only a network developed from a neuronal reflexive circuit with some useful artifices, nevertheless without the intention of covering all possibilities devised.