Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) utilises nuclear techniques to provide contributions to research, industry and government across many fields. A number of these nuclear techniques have already been applied to nanotechnology. ANSTO operates OPAL Australia's only nuclear research reactor to produce neutrons. These neutrons are used for producing radioisotopes, doping silicon for the semiconductor industry and neutron scattering experiments.
ANSTO LifeSciences specialise in novel radiopharmaceutical development, pre clinical radiopharmaceutical in vivo and in vitro assessments, animal imaging (SPECT/CT and PET/CT) and radio labelling of organic molecules.
ANSTO conducts neutron scattering experiments to investigate the structure and integrity of materials, biomolecules and liquid/gas interface at an atomic and nano scale. The structural information obtained from neutron scattering experiments allow industry and researchers to understand how materials function at an atomic level and whether this matches industrial needs. Interactions between fats and enzymes in the digestion process has been looked at with neutron scattering to develop anti-obesity drugs and the position of atoms in lithium batteries to develop longer lasting batteries.
ANSTO specialise in materials processing, development and characterisation specifically for sol-gels, ceramics, thin films, polymers and powders. IME operates a Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) instrument capable of reducing porosity and changing density of materials useful in manufacturing e,g replacement knee joints.
ANSTO has elemental and isotopic analysis capabilities (neutron activation analysis, ion beam analysis and accelerator mass spectrometry) for applications such as carbon dating, impurity analysis in silicon and environmental monitoring.
ANSTO also houses a gamma irradiation facility used for sterilisation of bones and tissues, polymer cross-linking to strengthen materials and fruit fly sterilisation for use in agriculture.
