The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) announced on 9 March that it had become an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Collaborating Centre to support IAEA activities using nuclear techniques for development and environmental protection. Building on two previous Collaborating Centres, the current Agreement is focused on a broad work plan that includes tackling provenance and the authentication of products of illicit trade; the use of isotopes to study water and climate change; the use of nuclear techniques to understand the impact of environmental and atmospheric pollutants; and the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques to investigate art, archaeology and cultural heritage materials.
“There is strong alignment with many of our environmental research activities,” said Professor Henk Heijnis, Leader of Environmental research at ANSTO, and the Centre Director, “It is an opportunity for us to share our significant learnings in areas which are global priorities.” To mark the Agreement, the IAEA presented ANSTO with a commemorative plaque that will be displayed in the reception building on the Lucas Heights campus.
