ANSTO Annual Reports http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/2 2013-05-22T11:33:13Z 2013-05-22T11:33:13Z http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4435 2012-11-19T04:10:31Z 2012-07-31T14:00:00Z

Title: Research Selections 2012 Abstract: ANSTO is an instrument of the Australian Government committed to Australian scientists and researchers, Australian innovation and Australia’s future. ANSTO’s existence is inextricably linked to efforts to protect and sustain Australia’s environment, to improve our health, to find ways to better diagnose and treat diseases, to produce nuclear medicines and to make a contribution to the global progress of nuclear science and technology. While ANSTO’s world-class infrastructure and science platforms are a demonstration of the foresight of the Australian Government, through the work of our researchers - and our collaborative thinking and strong partnerships - we contribute significantly to momentum in scientific discovery: bringing ideas to life. Through strong collaborations great advances are made. ANSTO’s local and international partnerships, as evidenced by the articles in this year’s Research Selections, are part of a scientific network that reaches into universities, government and industry and other research organisations – all of which have a crucial contribution to make to research outcomes and, by extension, our living world. ANSTO is part of the international science and technology community and is a hub for a vibrant research engagement and discovery. Each year hundreds of the world’s top researchers who use nuclear techniques to advance knowledge head to ANSTO. These collaborations enable us to magnify our influence and reach across the geography of possibilities. Not least of all through the mechanism of collaborative agreements with international organisations thereby ensuring a gateway for Australian scientists to the best international facilities, including CERN’s Large Hadron Collider - home to the intrepid Higgs Boson particle physicists. Research Selections is a small sample of the vast amount of great science being leveraged with our infrastructure. But science doesn’t stand still. To continue to achieve great science and ensure Australia remains at the forefront of discovery and innovation, we need to develop, grow and build on existing foundations of knowledge. ANSTO is already custodian of OPAL – Australia’s only nuclear reactor and one of the best research reactors in the world. Thanks to OPAL, we are able to supply vital nuclear medicine for Australians, irradiate silicon for the global semi-conductor market and, importantly, provide neutrons enabling researchers to probe matter at the nano and atomic scale, unlocking mysteries that can lead to profound discovery. ANSTO Research Selections 2010 | 3 3 While OPAL puts ANSTO streets ahead of where it otherwise would be, we cannot and are not resting on our laurels. In April 2012, approximately100 national and international experts attended the Second OPAL Guide Hall Workshop to discuss the medium- to long-term future of OPAL, an essential step towards the full exploitation of this world-leading research infrastructure. They discussed the extremely rapid advances in neutron beam instruments over the past few years and brainstormed strategies for using these advances and building a second suite of beamlines and instruments that will be at the forefront of neutron beam capabilities. ANSTO is also taking great strides in accelerator science. Our particle accelerators ANTARES and STAR are well established for analysing the elemental composition and age of materials using ion beam analysis and accelerator mass spectrometry. Two new accelerators will be established at ANSTO, as part of our Centre for Accelerator Science which has been funded through investment by the Government. These will enhance our capabilities in, for example, radiocarbon dating on historical artefacts, environmental studies, and determining how fossil fuels are contributing to climate change. The formation of the Australian Collaboration for Accelerator Science between the Australian Synchrotron, the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University is aimed at creating and maintaining a national pool of world class facilities and accelerator expertise. This collaboration will ensure Australia remains at the leading edge of accelerator capabilities and facilities.

2012-07-31T14:00:00Z http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4434 2012-11-19T03:58:53Z 2012-10-31T13:00:00Z

Title: ANSTO annual report 2011-2012 Abstract: For over 50 years, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has proudly been the home to Australia’s nuclear expertise. Nuclear science and technology is a dynamic and exciting area of endeavour that focuses on the basic building blocks of matter at the atomic level. Many of the most important questions facing society today are within the domain of ANSTO’s expertise; whether in the area of health, climate change or driving innovation for industry. ANSTO’s state-of-the-art research facilities and our connection with other local and international research centres, means our scientists have the resources and networks to make a significant contribution today and in the future. Central to realising the capabilities of some of Australia’s significant science infrastructure are our people – ANSTO has over 1,100 dedicated scientists, engineers and support staff who strive daily to exploit the opportunities nuclear science and technology offers, for the benefit of all Australians. As a Federal Government agency, ANSTO provides advice to the Federal Government on all matters relating to nuclear science, technology and engineering. ANSTO supports Australia’s international roles and obligations, contributing to nuclear non-proliferation and participating in international decision making, keeping Australia at the forefront of nuclear science and technology. At the heart of ANSTO’s research capabilities is the OPAL reactor which is one of the world’s best multi-purpose research reactors. OPAL is used for scientific research, the production of medical radioisotopes, and the irradiation of silicon used in microelectronics in superfast trains and hybrid cars. OPAL facilitates specialised research using a growing suite of neutron beam instruments at ANSTO’s Bragg Institute where scientists apply neutron scattering and X-ray techniques to solve complex research and industrial problems such as developing renewable, clean energy technologies. ANSTO also operates two particle accelerators, STAR and ANTARES, which are used to analyse materials to determine their elemental composition and age, and are fundamental to advancing knowledge in areas as important as climate change. Development of the Federal Government funded Centre for Accelerator Science at ANSTO, is now well underway. The new Centre will attract local and international scientists from a wide range of scientific disciplines working in areas such as radiocarbon dating and environmental studies, which are key in understanding past human activity (eg. rock art) and climate variability.

2012-10-31T13:00:00Z http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/3888 2011-11-23T15:01:36Z 2011-10-04T13:00:00Z

Title: ANSTO annual report 2010-2011 Abstract: ANSTO – the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation – is home to Australia’s nuclear expertise. ANSTO employs over 1,100 people in southwest Sydney, and supplies Australia with outstanding nuclear research, medicine and technology capabilities. The organisation provides policy advice to Government on all matters relating to nuclear science, technology and engineering. It supports Government in undertaking its international roles and obligations. It also undertakes research and pursues innovation in areas aligned with the national research priorities and those that have the potential to deliver key outcomes to support Australians and Australian industry. ANSTO strives to achieve key outcomes in publishing scientific research, securing intellectual property, training research students, developing software, providing engineering design and services, and consulting for industry. Innovation is critical to increasing Australia’s productivity and competitiveness. The Australian Government invested over $9 billion in science research and innovation in the 2010-2011 financial year and this investment is evident through the landmark science infrastructure Australian scientists can now access at ANSTO.

2011-10-04T13:00:00Z http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/3887 2011-11-23T15:01:52Z 2010-08-31T14:00:00Z

Title: 2010-2015 Corporate Plan Abstract: Nuclear science and technology is a dynamic area of endeavour that focuses on the basic building blocks of matter at the atomic and sub-atomic level. It has many uses, including helping to gain a better understanding of both biological and physically complex systems, and in improving our quality of life. Nuclear science and technology’s potential to improve our lives and unlock the many mysteries of science is well established, but new and exciting areas are still open for innovation. This document details ANSTO’s Corporate Plan (the Plan)for the period 2010-2015, in particular: Our vision, purpose and core values A contextual overview of nuclear science and technology Findings from strategic and operational reviews undertaken over the past two years Strategic priorities for 2010-2015 How we will measure our success in implementing the Plan. Key external documents that have informed development of the Plan include: Statement of Expectations for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Australia’s National Research Priorities Powering Ideas: An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century National Security Science and Innovation Strategy Inspiring Australia: A National Strategy for Engagement with the Sciences Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987. Internal documents include ANSTO’s: 2030 Scenario Planning Research Papers (2010) 2055 Infrastructure Plan (2010) ANSTO Statement of Intent (2010).

2010-08-31T14:00:00Z