Technical Meeting on Novel Applications of Accelerator-based Techniques for Socio-economic Benefits

Particle accelerators provide beams of charged particles that can be used not only to better understand the constituents of the atomic nucleus and the evolution of universe, but also to analyse and take advantage of physical processes capable of improving life and support economic growth. To date, accelerator-based applications cover almost all areas of life: from industry and medicine to aerospace technologies, from environmental monitoring and cultural heritage to food quality and drug development, from materials analysis and processing to biotechnology and forensics and many other fields of high socioeconomic impact.

Accelerators come in many shapes and sizes, and today there are more than 20,000 of them in operation worldwide, with scales ranging from MeV to TeV in energies, from a few meters to kilometres in length, and from thousands to billions of Euros in investment or operational costs. In addition, new giant machines based on the evolution of existing technology are planned. At the same time, many innovative concepts are investigated for smaller and less costly machines.

These developments have prompted many discussions about the compelling applications of techniques based on existing accelerator technologies and those expected to be available in the next decade and their potential to contribute to the socio-economic development of IAEA member states. Evaluation of this potential and further dissemination of the benefits of the use of particle accelerators in the interests of IAEA Member States led to the proposed Technical Meeting, in which emphasis is given to a) accelerators which host R&D programs with increased potential for innovation, b) success stories of novel applications of accelerator-based techniques supporting economic growth and c) key areas of societal impact where particle accelerators with R&D programs (may) contribute successfully.

Objectives

The purpose of the event is to review gaps, niche areas and recent developments in the potential utilization of accelerator science and technology for socio-economic benefits.

Target Audience

The event is intended for scientists working at the managerial level of accelerator facilities, researchers with activities aimed at advancing accelerator-based techniques for socio-economic benefits, technology transfer managers of accelerator facilities as well as network coordinators focusing on accelerator-based applications. The event will be held in English.

Participation and Registration

All persons wishing to participate in the event have to be designated by an IAEA Member State or should be members of organizations that have been invited to attend. In order to be designated by an IAEA Member State, participants are requested to send the Participation Form (Form A) to their competent national authority (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA or National Atomic Energy Authority) for onward transmission to the IAEA by 6 November 2023. Participants who are members of an organization invited to attend are requested to send the Participation Form (Form A) through their organization to the IAEA by the above deadline. Selected participants will be informed in due course on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative and financial matters.

Participants are hereby informed that the personal data they submit will be processed in line with the Agency’s Personal Data and Privacy Policy and is collected solely for the purpose(s) of reviewing and assessing the application and to complete logistical arrangements where required. The IAEA may also use the contact details of Applicants to inform them of the IAEA’s scientific and technical publications, or the latest employment opportunities and current open vacancies at the IAEA. These secondary purposes are consistent with the IAEA’s mandate.

Papers and Presentations

The IAEA encourages participants to give presentations on the work of their respective institutions that falls under the topics listed above.

Participants who wish to give presentations are requested to submit an abstract of their work. The abstract will be reviewed as part of the selection process for presentations. The abstract should be in A4 page format, should extend to no more than two pages (including figures and tables) and should not exceed 800 words. It should be sent electronically to Mr. Sotirios Charisopoulos, the Scientific Secretary of the event (see contact details below), not later than 6 November 2023. Authors will be notified of the acceptance of their proposed presentations by 13 November 2023.

In addition, participants have to submit the abstract together with the Participation Form (Form A) and the attached Form for Submission of a Paper (Form B) to their competent national authority (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA or National Atomic Energy Authority) or their organization for onward transmission to the IAEA not later than 6 November 2023.

Expenditures and Grants

No registration fee is charged to participants.

The IAEA is generally not in a position to bear the travel and other costs of participants in the event. The IAEA has, however, limited funds at its disposal to help meet the cost of attendance of certain participants. Upon specific request, such assistance may be offered to normally one participant per country, provided that, in the IAEA’s view, the participant will make an important contribution to the event.

The application for financial support should be made using the Grant Application Form (Form C), which has to be stamped, signed and submitted by the competent national authority to the IAEA together with the Participation Form (Form A) by 6 November 2023.

Additional Requirements

It is expected that participants will present activities of their organizations relevant to the topic of the event. This will be the main criterion for the selection of the participants. Therefore, participants are expected to submit an abstract (Form B) together with their Participation Form (Form A).

Venue

The event will be held at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), where the IAEA’s Headquarters are located. Participants must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. General information on the VIC and other practical details, such as a list of hotels offering a reduced rate for IAEA participants, are listed here.

Visas

Participants who require a visa to enter Austria should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Austria at least four weeks before they travel to Austria. Since Austria is a Schengen State, persons requiring a visa will have to apply for a Schengen visa. In States where Austria has no diplomatic mission, visas can be obtained from the consular authority of a Schengen Partner State representing Austria in the country in question.

Deadlines

• 6 November 2023: Deadline for submission of abstracts according to the instructions given above for paper selection.
• 6 November 2023: Submission of Form A, Form B (if an abstract is to be presented) and Form C (if a grant is requested) by the participant’s Member State to the IAEA.
• 13 November 2023: Notification of acceptance of contribution to participants sent by email.
• 11 December 2023: Start of the Technical Meeting

IAEA Contacts

Scientific Secretary:

Mr Sotirios Charisopoulos, IAEA

Administrative Secretary:

Ms Marion Linter, IAEA