When tiny things have a huge impact: Ionizing radiation as a tool for nanoscale engineering

More than a dozen IAEA Member States are now using ionizing radiation to produce nanoparticles for use in agriculture, medicine, cosmetics and industrial applications, while others are researching ways to create their own products and processes. Ionizing radiation used in a highly controlled environment by trained professionals is a quick and effective tool that can be used to modify and/or combine the materials that will create nanoparticles. It is a clean, low temperature process, and sometimes the preparation and sterilization of a nanoparticle product can be done in a single step. It's important to note that the nanoparticles that are created are not themselves radioactive. The IAEA promotes the use of radiation processing of natural polymers such as those used to create nanoparticles, partly by helping Member States acquire and develop expertise in the use of ionizing radiation for medical, industrial and commercial purposes. And for the last 30 years, the IAEA has been providing interested countries with training (workshops, expert visits, fellowships) in this area, and has organized collaborative multicountry research projects exploring the limits of radiation technology for polymer and nanoparticle manipulation.