99MoBest

What is this project about?
Molybdenum-99 is one of the most important radioactive isotopes in modern medicine. This radioisotope, which decays after just a few days and therefore has to be produced continuously, is used to produce radioactive technetium-99m, which is used daily in a wide variety of medical diagnostic fields (e.g. in thyroid scintigraphy). It is important that the sustainable and reliable production chain for molybdenum-99 is maintained. Typically, production takes place in nuclear fission reactors, the future of which is uncertain. The aim of the 99MoBest project is to investigate whether constant and reliable production of this isotope is possible using accelerators rather than fission reactors. This has many advantages, but also involves highly complex processes ranging from the accelerators' operation and the production itself, through chemical extraction, to radiation protection and radioactive waste disposal.

What motivated you to participate in this call for proposals? Where did the idea come from?
At FH Aachen, we have the ideal conditions to collaborate on this project. We have unique laboratories, and the interconnection between engineering (Prof. Butzek) and natural sciences (Prof. Langer) in faculty 10 is excellent. The proximity to the FZJ (Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich research centre) is also crucial. We have already recruited our first doctoral candidate from our university’s ‘Nuclear Applications’ (Master’s) degree programme. In addition to the existing expertise and laboratory facilities, the students' education in the fields of physics engineering, mechanical engineering and the Master of Nuclear Applications is therefore highly suited to the successful execution of the project.

What benefits does this project bring to society and/or in terms of sustainability?
The project brings a direct benefit to society: if the supply chain for molybdenum-99 were to be disrupted, this would have devastating consequences for people’s medical care. Every second, somewhere in the world, this radioisotope is being injected into a patient. Finding a way to produce this isotope consistently and with many advantages using an accelerator (which also operates far more sustainably than nuclear reactors) has enormous potential; future research will show whether other important medical isotopes can also be produced in large quantities in this way.

Who else is on board?
A project of this kind needs strong, capable partners. We are therefore in the fortunate position of being able to work on the project together with partners from the Universities of Cologne and Hanover, as well as the FZJ. Regular exchanges, particularly amongst the doctoral candidates, are yielding results that are driving the project forward with determination.