Stichting Laka

Publicatie Laka-bibliotheek:
European Study on Medical, Industrial and Research Applications of Nuclear and Radiation Technology (2019)

Auteur	NucAdvisor, Technopolis, A. Kolmayer, N. Mario, A. Ligtvoet, J.Van Barnevald, C. Scholten, A. Davé
	6-07-4-60-56.pdf
Datum	juli 2019
Classificatie	6.07.4.60/56 (ALLERLEI - MEDISCHE ISOTOPEN - NUCLEAIRE GENEESKUNDE )
Voorkant

Abstract
Since their discovery over a century ago, ionizing radiation (IR) technologies have
become key tools to explore matter and biological building blocks. One of the most
important discoveries of the 20th century — the structure of DNA — was the result of
analysing its X-ray diffraction pattern. Over the years, health has become one of the
most important non-energy applications to use IR, including imaging and therapy. IR is
also used in many industrial domains, ranging from sterilization and disinfection to
security-control systems, and from non-destructive testing to environmental applications.
Nanotechnologies, nanoelectronics, photonics, advanced materials, biotechnologies and
advanced manufacturing also use IR tools. Not only do these technologies generate high
revenues by themselves, they also generate highly skilled innovation-oriented jobs,
confer added value to products and services in which they are embedded and prompt
other technological developments. Europe hosts a substantial infrastructure of facilities
dedicated to fundamental or applied IR research, a broad network of advanced
universities and research centres, as well as world-class industrial corporations and
innovative SMEs competing at the global level. Such assets should be sustained and
developed, alongside its most promising applications, while ensuring the highest level of
safety and radiation protection. This report provides up-to-date information on the non-
power applications of nuclear and radiation technology in the EU with the view of
identifying their key societal benefits and development perspectives. The report proposes
a series of actions in this area aimed at contributing to the European citizens’ health and
to the European economy, competitiveness, jobs and growth.