Using our nuclear reactor, we can produce and characterize radioactive nanostructures for medical applications. These prompt "Nano-Radioisotopes" have the benefit of making radioactive isotopes in nano form ready to use, reducing the need for expensive facilities to manipulate radiochemicals and/or radiopharmaceuticals. Nanostructures created with nuclear radiation have various advantages over chemically produced ones. The reductive potential induced by radiation is instantaneous and uniform throughout the precursor solution. The reducing agent is radiation, which does not contaminate precursor solutions, and avoids future purification steps. Nanostructures produced by radiation are sterilized. Finally, drug products containing nanomaterials and targeting ligands are usually expensive to produce due to low yield processes, while prompt nano radioisotopes have a big uniform volume of reaction with a strong potential driving the reaction.
Our student research opportunities introduce you to the world of research and create special networking opportunities with faculty and the scientific community.
Interested in discussing the research we are working on or learning more? Please contact:
Associate Professor
573-341-6766 | castanoc@mst.edu |
224 Fulton Hall
Energy, Nuclear materials, Plasma materials interactions, Hydrogen in materials, Radio-electromechanical effects and Nanotechnology.
Associate Professor, Associate Chair of Research and Director of Nuclear Reactor
573-341-7759 | grahamjose@mst.edu |
231 Fulton Hall or 132 Straumanis-James Hall
Radiation effects in ceramics, Radiation solid interactions, Nuclear fuel properties and Nuclear waste forms.
Follow Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science