Research project IM/RT/23/LINAC-LNK (Research action IM)
LINAC@LNK involves the purchase and refurbishment of a second-hand medical LINAC for various nuclear research purposes. It will enable both calibrations and tomography imaging, which opens door for:
New applications in dosimetry and calibration expertises
With LINAC@LNK, SCK CEN strives to improving radiotherapy calibration by eliminating potential error margins. The ultimate goal is to establish a precise calibration method for radiotherapy treatments. Additionally, the utilization of a LINAC opens up avenues for advanced research in radiotherapy and dosimetry. This includes exploring dosimetry at the cellular level, enabling a deeper understanding of radiation mechanisms, and developing novel detectors to enhance quality assurance protocols. Through these advancements, LINAC@LNK seeks to drive progress in the field of radiotherapy and improve patient outcomes.
R&D to enable material identification in drums of radioactive waste
The introduction of the new LINAC also opens up a novel application in assisting ONDRAF/NIRAS with their surface disposal site for low and medium-level short-lived waste. The device provides high-energy CT scans, which are used to ensure that numerous conditioned waste drums are compliant with the conformity criteria. Furthermore, the facility has the potential to facilitate additional research aimed at investigating whether multiple-energy irradiation can provide supplementary information about the chemical composition of the conditioned waste drums. This development not only addresses the immediate need for low and medium-level short-lived waste compliance but also paves the way for enhanced exploration and understanding of waste characterization using advanced radiation techniques.
