ATOMIC PLANTS MADE PORTABLE FOR HOSPITALS

Grey River Argus, 11 October 1949, Page 5

ATOMIC PLANTS MADE PORTABLE FOR HOSPITALS

Uranium Used In Pure Oxide Form (Rec 10.0) LONDON, Oct 10

A portable atomic plant has been produced in London for the use of hospitals, universities and research centres,’ says the Daily Telegraph. This apparatus is known as the Aspatron, and it is claimed to be the first of its kind in the world. The plant which is described as “an atomic pile in miniature,” will produce radioactive isotopes—atom elements which provide radiations for medical use. It uses uranium in the form of pure oxide, arranged inside of a double wall.

The equipment weights two hundredweight. It will cost about £5OO sterling. Its commercial production will be started as soon as possible. It is hoped to obtain export orders from Empire countries. The life of the radio-active isotopes for medical research ranges from as low as eight hours to two or three weeks. The varieties with only the eight-hour life are in chief demand by doctors. At present aircraft and cars are used to distribute isotopes from a Government atomic research station at Harwell.

The portable apparatus is designed to overcome the time handicap, and to make isotopes available for cancer and other diagnoses over a much w’ider field