UK gets first high-flux neutron test facility

The University of Birmingham says it is now the home of the United Kingdom’s first high-flux neutron test facility.

It received the final acceptance for use of Neutron Therapeutics’ accelerator, meaning the facility can now be used. The first-of-its-kind facility enables research into the effect of neutrons in a variety of fields. These include nuclear energy, nuclear science and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).

“The University of Birmingham’s neutron facility brings together a wide community of researchers in fields ranging from fundamental nuclear physics to nuclear materials to radiation oncology, and we are honoured to be part of this initiative,” said Noah Smick, president and COO of Neutron Therapeutics.

The UK’s first high-flux neutron test facility also comes as part of the UK’s National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF) program. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funds the facility.

Capabilities of the accelerator include nominal proton current of 30 mA, nominal proton energy of 2.6 MeV and typical neutron yield of 3×10^13 primary neutrons per second.

In addition to nuclear energy and science research, the facility offers pre-clinical research capabilities in boron neutron capture therapy. This precision medicine approach destroys cancerous cells while minimizing the impact to surrounding healthy tissue.

“This is a terrific milestone for the development of the U.K.’s portfolio of experimental facilities to support the rapidly developing nuclear energy sector with new developments associated with small-modular, advanced-modular and fusion reactors,” said Martin Freer, director of the Birmingham Energy Institute (BEI). “The High Flux Accelerator-Driven Neutron Facility is a transformational research platform which will allow a series of fundamental research questions to be addressed.” Medical Design & Outsourcing