Exotic isotope production for medical applications

A new ion source and electromagnetic mass separator will be built to produce rare radioactive isotopes that are currently in short supply for cancer treatment and medical imaging. The problem is straightforward: many promising medical isotopes—such as actinium-225 for targeted cancer therapy—are difficult to obtain in sufficient quantities. Global supply is shrinking as nuclear research reactors are decommissioned, while demand for both established and experimental isotopes continues to rise. Without reliable production methods, clinical trials and eventual treatments cannot move forward. This project develops the hardware needed to create and purify these exotic isotopes in the laboratory rather than relying on ageing reactors. If successful, it could secure a domestic supply chain for isotopes used in therapies that kill tumour cells with precision, and for imaging agents that help diagnose disease earlier. The work focuses on producing pre-clinical amounts for initial studies, laying the groundwork for scaled-up production later. This is applied engineering for a specific medical bottleneck. It does not explore fundamental nuclear physics for its own sake, but directly addresses a practical shortage that currently limits what doctors can offer patients.