Antinuclear

Synchrotron to produce medical isotopes: no need for nuclear reactor

Sask. synchrotron to make medical isotopes, CBC News, 24 Jan 2011, Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are looking at using the synchrotron to develop medical isotopes without a nuclear reactor.A group at the Saskatoon-based university announced Monday that the synchrotron — known as the Canadian Light Source — will be one of four projects around Canada receiving part of a $35-million federal fund………

According to the NRC, which is backing the synchrotron demonstration project, it will look at the feasibility of using an electron linear accelerator to produce molybdenum-99, which is the “parent isotope” of technetium-99m — a mainstay of nuclear medicine.

The NRC says the new method doesn’t pose any security or nuclear proliferation concerns because, unlike a nuclear reactor, it requires no weapons-grade uranium.

The synchtron located on the U of S campus, uses powerful beams of focused light to examine matter on the atomic level…..

CBC News – Health – Sask. synchrotron to make medical isotopes

January 25, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized