Nuclear scientists in the UK are developing a new method to produce essential radioisotopes for cancer scanning, which are currently sourced from aging reactors abroad. This innovation, led by Dr. Tom Wallace-Smith from Bristol's Astral Systems, utilizes nuclear fusion instead of fission and aims to create small plants near hospitals for about £1 million, significantly cheaper than building new large reactors. The need for this technology was highlighted after a major supply interruption in October, resulting in delays for routine scans. With UK reliance on a limited number of European reactors that will be decommissioned soon, this new approach could enhance the availability of radioisotopes for critical medical diagnostics.
Wed, 26 Feb 2025 06:04:19 GMT | BBC.com