Applications
Despite the fact that Cyprus does not really have a heavy industry sector or a big number of well established companies in the high technology sector, nevertheless it stands at a very high position within the European Union countries in terms of the percentage of well-educated and skilful personnel that have completed university cycle studies in almost all areas. These personnel, considering the fact that most of the state and private organizations and companies dealing with high technology, are in the process of restructuring their R&D sectors, produce a very dynamic and healthy environment for the economy. Therefore, the scientific personnel on the island can enormously benefit by Cyprus officially joining CERN, most notably in the transfer and exchange of high technology knowledge in the following relevant scientific fields:
A. High Technology
Due to the great needs of all the accelerators infrastructure as well as the experiments running at CERN with respect to high technology data acquisition electronics, detector development, computer technology and fast communication of vast amount of data, Cypriot scientists will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and/or prove their skills and knowledge in the healthy environment of a prestigious international research organisation such as CERN.
B. Accelerator Technology - Particle beams
1. Medical Applications Areas
Production in accelerators of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceutical materials for medical diagnosis and electrons, γ rays, neutrons, protons and heavy ions for the treatment of various diseases
Use of X rays, electronic tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for diagnostic purposes
Use of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Oncology, Neurology (epilepsy, Alzheimer, Parkinson) and Cardiology
Development of Free Electron Lasers with important applications in precision microsurgery
2. Applications in Industry
Use of electron beams for the destruction of various biological molecules, neutralisation of toxic substances, surface treatment, increasing of material resistivity
Use of radiation for neutralizing various toxic waste materials, which are harmful to the environment
The Thin Layer Activation (TLA) technique, for controlling the degree of erosion of various industrial systems, with the help of protons, deuterium or alpha particles
The X ray lithography for the reproduction of patterns with high degree of resolution (e.g. in manufacturing microchips, microelectronic circuits)
The use of accelerators for implanting ions in the production of circuits with a large number of electronic elements, leading to faster, stronger and cheaper computers
The coating of ions to improve the resistivity and resistance against oxidation of metals and alloys
The use of accelerators in the food industry and for improving the mechanical properties of materials
The treatment of the surfaces of medical implant devices
The development of detection devices based on the analysis of relativistic neutrons
The industrial production of isotopes for use in various fields
The use of accelerators for the neutralization of radioactive waste materials; (there are indications that at the same time, this application could lead to the production of energy)
3. Research Applications
Research with synchrotron radiation
The electron and positron accelerators, which as sources of high intensity synchrotron radiation are used today for research in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Medicine (e.g. applied research in chemical and pharmaceutical industries, material industry, biotechnology etc.)
The scattering and spectroscopy of X rays for determination of the structure and analysis of the resistance of various materials
The study of the biological and pharmaceutical properties of proteins and the crystallographic analysis of proteins
Positron Sources
The linear accelerators as sources of positrons for research in Atomic and Condensed Matter Physics
The annihilation of positrons for the Auger spectroscopy of electrons
Mass Spectroscopy
The accelerator mass spectroscopy (AMS) for the detection of traces of radioisotopes with a big lifetime in an environment where the corresponding stable isotopes prevail
The application of AMS in radio-chronology (archaeology, geology, oceanography, climate and atmospheric science), measurement of possible escaping radioactive materials, measurement of neutron currents, as well as in biomedical research
Analysis with beam of ions or neutrons
The study of the structure and the properties of various materials, such as semiconductors, insulators and ceramic materials, with bombardment of ions from the accelerator and analysis of the Hydrogen constitution of these materials
The industrial research based on nuclear resonance spectroscopy of backward Rutherford scattering
The detection of traces of elements, mainly heavy elements, based on activation analysis after the exposure of the sample with a beam of ions
The production in Cyclotrons beams of neutrons and of new radioisotopes and their further use in biological and medical research
Energy via Nuclear Fusion
The latest developments in the field of nuclear technology, with the international efforts to achieve the break-even point in nuclear fusion, is expected to provide an unlimited supply of green energy in the near future, essentially solving the energy problems of mankind today.
C. Superconducting Magnets
The technique of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), one of the spin-offs particle physics, which with the development of powerful superconducting magnets has become an important tool of modern medicine (better and more precise diagnosis of tumours, better treatment with particle beams, studies of human metabolism with NMR etc.)
The applications of superconducting magnets on separating mining materials, in the treatment and cleaning of coal, in high speed trains and in storing energy
D. Particle Detectors
The use of spark counters in the industries of oils, foods, steel, coal as well as in the medical and military industries
The applications ionization and cascade tubes in medicine, where their high degree of resolution and output render these instruments as important tools in medical diagnosis, decreasing the necessary dose of radiation and directing with high precision the beam of particles to the target
The technique of computerized scanning and the measurement of orbits on films, which originated from the days of operating vapour tubes, (automatic reading and production of maps, recognition of biological cells, monitoring industrial operations)
The use of γ cameras and other devices in Nuclear Medicine.
