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ePaper created 2012-09-28, 09:46:25 | version 1.24.0
15 RESEARCH AT THE CENTRE | Cyclotron 2|2012 Research in Jülich cations even in plants. Carbon-11, which is often used in plant research, has a half-life of just 20 minutes. “We will now be able to make novel nuclides available for environmental research which can- not be produced with a conventional cy- clotron,” explains Dr. Ingo Spahn, who specializes in the production of radionu- clides at INM-5. DAZZLING PROSPECTS Installation of the new cyclotron also involves extensive building work. State- of-the-art laboratories are being con- structed immediately adjacent to the cy- clotron both for the routine production of radiopharmaceuticals and also for re- search. Above ground, the new Jülich translation centre is under construction. Its function is to ensure that medically relevant findings are incorporated in everyday clinical practice as soon as pos- sible. Close by, the scientists of INM-5 plan to move into their new institute in 2014. This complex will have direct under- ground access to the cyclotron. “Here we are setting up two further target stations for the particle beam of the cyclotron,” says Spahn. “This will enable us to in- crease capacities for research and devel- opment in nuclear chemistry.” This aspect is also of significance for neighbouring universities. “The two cyclo- trons in Cologne and Hannover, which can also generate alpha particles, are due to be shut down for reasons of age,” says Coenen. “The new Jülich cyclotron will therefore be the only one in Germany with this equipment and capacity.” In the view of researchers at Jülich, this means that the traditionally close cooperation with universities in the region, especially with the University of Cologne in the field of nuclear chemistry, will be further inten- sified. The number of students enrolled in this subject has doubled in the past five years. “Graduates in this field are being urgently sought by medical facilities, en- ergy utilities and also by regulatory au- thorities,” says Coenen. “Employment prospects are excellent, especially if they are trained in the state of the art,” he adds. :: * Protons are stable positively charged building blocks of the atomic nucleus. Deuterium (D or 2 H) is a hydrogen isotope that has one neutron and one proton in the nucleus. Alpha particles ( -particles) are doubly positively charged he- lium ions (H++ ). An alpha particle consists of two neutrons and two protons. The cyclotron is the first in a new series. It can accelerate three different particles. This is a unique advantage both for routine production and also for research.