International Conference on Accelerators for Research and Sustainable Development: From Good Practices Towards Socioeconomic Impact

The Conference is envisioned to be in-person, with the possibility of remote connection. Details on remote connection will be provided at a later time.

Background

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is organizing the first International Conference on Accelerators for Research and Development: From Good Practices Towards Socioeconomics Impact. Such a Conference was long awaited by the Member States to address important needs in our high-tech oriented society, where particle accelerators have become indispensable.

Nowadays, more than 20,000 particle accelerators operating world-wide are used for commercial applications, either in the medical (radiotherapy treatments) or industrial sectors (materials modification). Although only a few hundred accelerators are used for scientific research, the knowledge and technological spin-offs gained from these facilities drive the development of commercial applications and support the research and development needs of a diverse range of fields, including fundamental and applied science. The current trend is to utilize accelerators in a dedicated way to support specific high technology application areas. The main demand from researchers is for high quality X ray, neutron, and ion beams to engage in cutting-edge research in energy, food and agriculture, environment, biology, medicine, forensics, cultural heritage, materials science, and many other areas. Accelerators also play a key role in capacity building, provide education and training both in academia and industry, contributing to the solution of problems of modern society and to increased competitiveness of local economies.

Numerous innovations and accomplishments in the field of accelerator-based research and development as well as diverse applications have been already acknowledged, however it is now time to take a comprehensive look at their socioeconomic impact, assess their sustainability and ability to meet future challenges. The IAEA has been implementing programmatic activities that provide interested Member States with platforms to exchange information on new trends and applications in accelerator-based nuclear science and technology. Indeed, the IAEA successfully implements a few programmes with direct relevance to use of particle accelerators such as Nuclear Science, Radioisotope Production and Radiation Technology, Human Health and Environment. In addition, direct support and assistance to the Member States in the area of accelerator-based research and applications is also provided through the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme.

Purpose and Objectives

The Conference aims primarily to present an international stage for discussing accelerator applications in research and industry, foster exchange of information on best practices in accelerator facility utilization and management, and to provide a showcase how achievements and experience attained with accelerator technologies contribute to a sustainable development. All types of accelerators will be considered: from low-energy ion-beam electrostatic accelerators to cyclotrons, from compact accelerator-based neutron sources to large-scale spallation facilities, from electron-based irradiation facilities to synchrotron light sources, and many others.

Special emphasis will also be given in accelerator applications of large societal impact such as human health, environmental monitoring, cultural heritage, food quality, energy sector, forensics, nuclear security, and others promoting economic development. The Conference will provide a unique opportunity to achieve the following specific objectives:

To disseminate:

• New knowledge and technologies developed through accelerator-based research and applications in a wide spectrum of scientific areas.
• Best practices in establishing new accelerator facilities, and ensuring their effective management and sustainability

To review:

• Key developments in particle accelerator technologies, established and emerging ones, and their role in enhancing innovations
• National, regional and global initiatives for implementing proven accelerator applications that lead to socio-economic benefits and strengthen capacity building in Member States; and

To serve:

• As a composite platform through which academia and industry can foster new initiatives for ensuring the success of accelerator applications in addressing the emerging challenges in multiple disciplines
• As a bridge to enhance existing and establish new collaborations among scientists and institutions from Member States aiming at benefiting from accelerator technologies to face challenges in a series of problems of modern society.

Themes and Topics

The IAEA welcomes high-quality, well structured, abstracts and papers in all fields of accelerator-based research and applications which will be grouped under three main themes/tracks:

1. Cutting-edge scientific results and innovation in applications
2. Success stories and case studies demonstrating socioeconomic impact
3. Best practices in effective management, safe operation, and sustainability of accelerator facilities, including establishment of new facilities

The scope of the conference is meant to cover, but is not limited to, the following topical areas:

• Biology and biophysics
• Cultural heritage
• Engineering applications (including energy sector)
• Environmental applications (including geosciences and climate change)
• Food and agriculture
• Forensics and security applications
• Information and quantum technologies
• Materials research (including materials damage studies)
• Medical applications (including radioisotope production and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy)
• Nuclear data and modelling benchmarks
• Radioactive beam applications
• R&D on new accelerator and alternative technologies (including Compact Accelerator based Neutron Sources)
• Best practices in and lessons learned from
• Education and training with accelerators
• Establishment of new facilities
• Facility management and user programmes
• Facility operations and maintenance
• Outreach, knowledge preservation and management
• User access programmes and regional/interregional networking
• Strategic considerations for sustainability and self-reliance

Target Audience

This conference will focus on applications of accelerator science and technology, which is a multidisciplinary area covering many different branches from accelerator and nuclear physics, materials science, biology, environment, medicine, cultural heritage to engineering and industrial applications. Accordingly, the target audience for this conference comprises, but is not limited to:

• research scientists engaged in accelerator-based research and applications;
• accelerator operators and users;
• entrepreneurs or stakeholders involved in applications of accelerator technologies;
• policy makers and regulators.

Exhibitions

A limited amount of space will be available for commercial vendors’ displays/exhibits during the conference. Interested parties should contact the Scientific Secretariat by email by 1 December 2021.

Key Deadlines

• 19 November 2021: Submission of synopses through IAEA-INDICO
• 19 November 2021: Submission of Form B (together with Form A) through the InTouch+ platform
• 19 November 2021: Submission of Form C (together with Form A) through the InTouch+ platform
• 14 January 2022: Notification of acceptance of synopses for oral or poster presentation
• 1 June 2022: Electronic submission of full papers through IAEA-INDICO 
• 1 July 2022: Notification of review of full papers

Conference app

The IAEA Conferences and Meetings App provides a one-stop access to information on the Conference, exhibitions and scheduled side events. The app also allows users to put together their own personalized schedule of events. Via this app participants will be able to view contributed papers and the latest conference programme, message other participants, and view PowerPoint presentations released after the event. Participants will receive an email inviting them to register for the app approximately one week before the conference.

For iPhone or iPad users, get your free download through the Apple iTunes Store; those with Android devices can visit the Google Play Store.

Greening

To demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, the IAEA will organize this conference as a 'green meeting' according to the guidelines of the Austrian Ecolabel.

There will be a focus on the areas of paper smart documentation, waste reduction and recycling, and environmentally friendly catering.