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Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation

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Coordinates: 34°02′56″S 150°58′30″E / 34.049°S 150.975°E / -34.049; 150.975
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Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Agency overview
Formed1987 (1987)
Preceding agency
JurisdictionAustralian Government
HeadquartersLucas Heights, New South Wales, Australia
34°02′56″S 150°58′30″E / 34.049°S 150.975°E / -34.049; 150.975
Employees1,000+
Minister responsible
Agency executives
Parent departmentDepartment of Industry, Science and Resources
Key document
  • Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987 (Cth)
Websiteansto.gov.au

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (more commonly known by its acronym ANSTO) is a statutory authority of the Australian Government that is charged with conducting nuclear research, and with producing radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. It was established in April 1987 to replace the former Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC), founded in 1952.

Its headquarters and main research facilities are on the southern outskirts of Sydney in Lucas Heights, in Sutherland Shire.

Purpose

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The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987 (Cth) prescribes its general purpose.

Mission statement

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  • To support the development and implementation of government policies and initiatives in nuclear and related areas, domestically and internationally
  • To operate nuclear science and technology based facilities, for the benefit of industry and the Australian and international research community
  • To undertake research that will advance the application of nuclear science and technology
  • To apply nuclear science, techniques, and expertise to address Australia 's environmental challenges and increase the competitiveness of Australian industry
  • To manufacture and advance the use of radiopharmaceuticals which will improve the health of Australians

Structure

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ANSTO is governed by The Hon Dr Annabelle Bennett.[1] Penelope Dobson is the deputy chair. The CEO, Shaun Jenkinson, manages the organisation.[2]

ANSTO operates five research facilities:

  1. OPAL research reactor
  2. Centre for Accelerator Science
  3. Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering
  4. Cyclotron facility
  5. Australian Synchrotron

Major research instruments include:

ANSTO also manufactures radiopharmaceuticals and performs commercial work such as silicon doping by nuclear transmutation.

Nuclear reactors

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ANSTO has two nuclear research reactors onsite: The High Flux Australian Reactor, or HIFAR, in operation from 1958 to 2007, and the Open-pool Australian lightwater reactor (OPAL) designed by the Argentine company INVAP. HIFAR was permanently shut down on 30 January 2007. The OPAL reactor came online in November 2006 and the facility was officially opened on 20 April 2007.

A third, smaller unit, being a 100 kW thermal Argonaut-class reactor named MOATA, was in operation between 1961 and 1995, before being decommissioned in 2009. The reactor was initially commissioned to train Australian nuclear scientists in the operation of HIFAR, but its envelope was later widened to include neutron imaging and activation analysis, soil analysis, and radioisotopic medical research.

Spent fuel from the reactors is transported to Port Kembla, then shipped to France for reprocessing.[7]

In 2017, ANSTO announced the creation of a NiMo-SiC alloy for use in molten salt reactors.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ www.ansto.gov.au
  2. ^ "Media Profile: Dr Adi Paterson, Chief Executive Officer" (PDF). Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Echidna – ANSTO". Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Wombat – ANSTO". Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  5. ^ "Kowari – ANSTO". Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Platypus – ANSTO". Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Radioactive nuclear 'boomerang waste' moved out of Australia". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 July 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  8. ^ "News | ANSTO".
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