Isotope applications in industry and hydrology: societal benefits

The widespread utilization of radioisotopes in modern society is a phenomenal success story. A myriad of vital applications of radioisotopes in industry is well established, throughout the world. The applications, which began over a half-century ago, have been increasing rapidly over the past several decades. Currently, majority of radioisotopes are made artificially by transforming a stable nuclide into an unstable state and thus far over 2500 radionuclides have been produced artificially. Radioisotope based techniques (i) can perform many tasks better, easier, quicker, relatively simply, and cost effectively than most alternative methods, (ii) have no substitutes in many applications, and (iii) are used extensively in all areas of industry, hydrology, science, medicine, agriculture, and research. The use of radioisotope materials in virtually all industries is of immense importance for process development and improvement, measurement and automation, operations research, quality control and testing, cost reduction and other purposes. BARC is actively involved in deployment of non-power applications in societal and industrial sector. Advance knowledge and rural technology development programme (AKRUTI) have been initiated for the benefit of the society. BARC have entered into several technologies transfer agreements with various parties in the area of nuclear instrumentation, industrial applications, medical applications, environment applications and health care, so that its benefit can reach the society