The production of radionuclides for the biosciences

The use of cyclotrons for the production of radioisotopes used in the biosciences has experienced a renaissance during the last 20 years. A major factor for the renewed interest has been the development of the negative ion cyclotron permitting multiple simultaneous beams with differing energies and intensities. With these new cyclotrons, the commercial suppliers of radioisotopes could greatly expand their production capabilities with a single cyclotron. A look at future needs as expressed by the proposal by the United States Department of Energy to build a National Biomedical Tracer Facility are addressed. (author)