Contribution Of Atomic Energy Research Articles

The significance of nuclear science for food and agriculture

THIS Symposium has been organized to provide an opportunity for reviewing the potentialities of nuclear science techniques in the soil and crop sciences, and the extent to which those techniques are already being and could be applied in countries in the Pacific region. When, in 1955, the international programme for promoting international cooperation in developing the peaceful uses of atomic energy was initiated under United Nations auspices, it was, of course, the possible contributions of atomic energy to power production that appeared at first sight to be of greatest interest. Even at that time, however, the significance of atomic energy for agriculture was receiving much attention, and an evaluation made in the United States of America in 1956 by Dr. Willard Libby, then one of the Commissioners in the United States Atomic Energy Commission, suggested that the potential economic contribution of atomic energy to agriculture and food production could be of approximately the same order of magnitude as its contribution to the generation of electric power. In view of the imperative need to make the fullest possible use of all advances in science for the benefit of agriculture and food production if the rapidly expanding populations of the world are to be adequately fed and clothed, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiated, in 1955, a special programme for promoting international cooperation in developing the application of nuclear science techniques in agriculture. That international programme has been operated in close association with other appropriate international agencies, and in particular in co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the course of this address, reference will be made to some of the salient features of the international programmes of FAO and IAEA in this field. In the short time available for this brief introductory statement, it will not be possible to review in detail the immensely wide range of applications of nuclear science techniques in agriculture. A more comprehensive account will be found in an FAO review published in the International oTournal of Applied Radiation and Isotopes in 1958. I t may, of course, confidently be expected that nuclear-derived electric power will eventually make possible a more plentiful supply of reasonably priced current in rural

最近における選鉱, 選炭へのRI利用について

Prior to World War II radioisotopes were produced in microquantities in cyclotrons and other particle accelerators. With the construction of the nuclear reactor or “Pile” an almost unlimited source of radioisotopes was created. The majority of radioisotopes are produced in the pile by (n, γ) and (n, p) nuclear reactions induced by the thermal nutrons present in the pile.Radioactive isotopes for scientific, medical, agricultural and industrial use constitute by far the most important contribution of atomic energy to peacetime welfare. And isotopes are already at work in hundreds of places, both in our country and abroad, adding to man's knowledge of the still largely mysterious natural forces around him and significantly to his welfare.Today, the word “isotope” is in very wide use, particularly among those working in fields where isotopes are finding some practical application, and the techniques for using them are being increasingly understood.In our country, studies of RI techniques are developed by the imported sources from 1947. The industrial applications of radioisotopes depend on using the radio-material either (1) as a source of ionizing radiation or (2) as a tracer or (3) as a radiation chemistry.Gaudin lectured “Radioactivity in Mineral Dressing” in London (1952). He said, “radioactivity can be put to use in mineral dressing in three ways;(1) as a research tool;(2) for the control of nod-radioactive plant processes; and (3) as a mineral-separating tool.”Now, l explained the outlines (67 papers) of mineral dressing, coal preparation and others sectio data from which picked up the topices problems through use of radioisotopes.There will be an increasing use of radioisotopes in physical, chemical research and its application for industry.

The International Atomic Energy Agency: The First Phase

The objectives of the founders of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reflected the dual nature of atomic power: it was the embodiment of both the highest hopes and the deepest fears of mankind. First, the Agency's developmental responsibility was to accelerate the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health, and prosperity throughout the world. Second and equally important was to be the Agency's control function: to create a reliable system of safeguards against diversion of fissionable material to military uses in order that the broadening of the peaceful applications of atomic energy should not increase the danger of strengthening the military potential of nations. Within this broad framework, the Agency was to plan and carry out specific projects and activities. This responsibility was largely to be a function of the Board of Governors, whose establishment was an immediate necessity if IAEA was to begin operations.

The Contribution of Atomic Energy to Medicine. Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Research and Development of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. Congress of the United States. Eighty-Third Congress Second Session on the Contribution of Atomic Energy to Medicine, June 2, 3, and 4, 1954.

Previous articleNext article No AccessNew Biological BooksThe Contribution of Atomic Energy to Medicine. Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Research and Development of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. Congress of the United States. Eighty-Third Congress Second Session on the Contribution of Atomic Energy to Medicine, June 2, 3, and 4, 1954.PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 31, Number 4Dec., 1956 Published in association with Stony Brook University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/401604 PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.