Advancing Science for Society

PROFILE

TRIUMF – Advancing Science for Society

ow did the Universe begin? Where do we come from? These are questions humans hHave pondered since we first looked up at the stars and wondered about our world. Particle and nuclear physics play key roles in answering these questions by identifying the fundamental building blocks of nature and how they organise themselves into the elements that make up our F M U bodies and surroundings. I R T

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Even after the 2012 discovery of the a m Higgs boson, many fundamental I questions remain: What are dark Fig 1: Superconducting radiofrequency cavity developed at TRIUMF for the ARIEL electron accelerator and transferred to PAVAC Industries, Richmond, B.C. matter and dark energy? Why is there more matter than antimatter? Where in the Universe are the chemical • Understanding the basic building TRIUMF will dramatically expand its elements from iron to uranium blocks that shape our Universe; research capabilities, advancing our produced? Large international efforts fundamental understanding of nuclei, – involving substantial research infra - • Advancing isotopes for science and enhancing the search for new forces structure investment – are underway medicine; and in nature, and helping determine how that may finally bring answers to and where in the universe the ele - some of these fundamental questions • Harnessing particles and beams for ments were produced. in the next 5-10 years. science and innovation. ARIEL will also further applied research, Canada has become a global leader in Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, from studying magnetism at material particle and nuclear physics 1, despite TRIUMF plays a special role in particle interfaces, to imaging biological its modest population size, as a result and nuclear physics as a truly global systems and treating cancer with of long-term investments in its research player, not only boasting a state-of- new medical isotopes. With ARIEL, capacity. These include support of the-art accelerator facility but also TRIUMF and its industrial partners will university researchers and national leading Canada’s involvement in high- co-develop globally-significant tech - facilities such as TRIUMF – Canada’s profile projects around the world. nologies, such as the superconducting national laboratory for particle and radiofrequency technology used in nuclear physics. In nuclear physics, TRIUMF currently the ARIEL electron linear accelerator operates one of the world’s most and chosen for the proposed Interna - TRIUMF is a joint venture of 19 Cana - powerful radioisotope-production tional Linear Collider, the next global dian universities that drives scientific facilities. When the Advanced Rare accelerator laboratory. Through progress in three areas: Isotope Laboratory (ARIEL) is completed, technology transfer from TRIUMF, a

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Tomography, a powerful imaging technique.

Recently, a TRIUMF-led team developed a reliable, accelerator-based means to produce Technetium-99m (Tc-99m). This isotope, the world standard for medical imaging, is at risk of becoming unavailable due to a global supply shortage. Every day, 5,000 medical procedures in Canada and 70,000 worldwide depend on Tc-99m.

C With support from several Canadian R E S funding agencies, the TRIUMF-led N

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m cyclotrons already in use at major I hospitals and radiopharmacies around Fig 2: TRIUMF scientist and student working on a medical isotope cyclotron the world, securing the regional supply of Tc-99m on an ongoing basis. Canadian company is now among a next generation of scientists, inno - handful of vendors worldwide that can vators or medical doctors; providing In conclusion, TRIUMF, a publicly-funded produce this advanced technology. isotopes for medical diagnosis and laboratory with basic research mission, treatment; and transferring leading- is driving discoveries addressing the In addition, TRIUMF is fully engaged in edge technologies to industry. most compelling questions in particle international particle physics initiatives. and nuclear physics, nuclear medicine, CERN remains at the vanguard of “In nuclear physics, TRIUMF and materials science. Also, TRIUMF global particle physics, where Canada currently operates one of leverages its extensive expertise by contributes and benefits via TRIUMF the world’s most powerful transferring knowledge to industry and its collaborating universities. radioisotope-production and commercialising research for From participating in the discovery of facilities.” economic, social, environmental, and the Higgs boson and trapping anti- health benefit. hydrogen at CERN, to collaborating Through long-standing relationships with Japan in neutrino science, with several industrial partners, 1 Council of Canadian Academies, The State of Science and TRIUMF’s global engagement provides TRIUMF is transferring and licensing Technology in Canada, 2012 a superb training opportunity for technologies developed as part of Canadian students. At home, TRIUMF its research mission. For instance, collaborates with SNOLAB, the world’s TRIUMF’s 35+ year long medical- premier dark matter and neutrino isotope production partnership with observatory located deep underground the global health science company near Sudbury, Ontario. Nordion Inc, benefits over 2 million patients each year. Similarly, TRIUMF Dr. Reiner Krücken TRIUMF is Canada’s steward for collaborates with the Pacific Deputy Director developing accelerator and radiation- Parkinson’s Research Center at the TRIUMF detection technologies for science University of British Columbia and the Tel: +1 604 222 7365 and societal benefit. TRIUMF also British Columbia Cancer Agency in [email protected] touches the lives of thousands of the devel opment and production of www.triumf.ca people by: inspiring and training the radiotracers for Positron Emission

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