The University of Manchester is heading groundbreaking research into a new type of particle accelerator designed for industrial and medical applications.
The EMMA accelerator (Electron Machine with Many Applications) will be turned on early next year at the Cockcroft Institute in Daresbury and is the first of its kind in the world. This prototype will be used to develop future electron and proton accelerators small and cheap enough for commercial use. Commonplace use of such machines will allow scientists to revolutionise many areas, including cancer therapy.
Proton cancer therapy is an emerging treatment type with the ability to target tumours with a beam of protons, causing minimal damage to the rest of the body. At the moment, patients must travel long distances to one of a small number of research facilities world-wide. The UK plans to equip two hospitals with expensive conventional accelerators. However, proton accelerators based on the technology behind EMMA could be cheaply installed in more hospitals, allowing more accessible patient treatment.
Accelerators are also planned for use in a new breed of power stations. ‘Sub-critical thorium reactors’ generate nuclear power driven by a beam of particles, eliminating the risk of meltdown. Another key advantage of these reactors is that they produce a much lower waste output, making them greener and cheaper.
The EMMA project is a vital step towards technological advances in cancer therapy and power generation. Future projects aim to bring the benefits of particle accelerator technology into the mainstream.
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