Mr. Nguyen Huu Quang – Director of Center for Nuclear Technology Applications in Industry.
*Reporter (R): Dear sir, today many people are referring to the problems of applying radiation technology to the fields of life. So, what is radiation technology and nuclear technology?Reporter (R): Dear sir, today many people are referring to the problems of applying radiation technology to the fields of life. So, what is radiation technology and nuclear technology?
*Mr. Nguyen Huu Quang: Nuclear technology, understood simply as using the radiation emitted by the nucleus and radioactive isotopes to act on materials to create products and applications serving the purposes of scientific research and life.
* R: So how can the application of radiation technology bring about the benefits to life and socio-economic development goals, sir?
*Mr. Nguyen Huu Quang: Actually, nuclear technology is now applied widely and abundantly in the human life without our knowing. For example, when we go to hospitals, activities such as CT scan, MRI and radiation therapy ... all of these factors are related to the nuclear issue. And that is the application of nuclear technology in the medical field. In addition to applications in the medical sector as above, nowadays, nuclear applications are abundant, in which nuclear technology is applied to the creation of new products, such as the denaturation of polymeric materials and rubberization which creates natural-based products with outstanding features including heat resistance, durability and elasticity. Even today, it is easy to find products and materials that employ nuclear technology. More outstandingly, in the field of automotive technology, we find that up to 70% of the material in a car contains nuclear application; or in a computer / laptop, all the microchips of the computer have the contribution of nuclear technology. I cannot imagine what modern life would be like without nuclear technology. From the computer to the smartphone we are using, there are technical elements of nuclear technology that cannot be replaced. The world depends on the level of technology development and the level of contribution of each country's nuclear technology. In Many countries, nuclear technology can contribute a few percent or more of GDP, not to mention nuclear power, I’ve just talked about nuclear applications in the fields of life, but its impacts on civilized life and today's industry are undeniable. And it is the basis for us to have high-tech civilization today.
* R: With its own features, what does Dong Nai province should to develop the application of nuclear technology in the fields of socio-economic development and living conditions?
*Mr. Nguyen Huu Quang: In fact, on researching nuclear technology, Dong Nai has always been considered as one of the areas of particular interest. Because Dong Nai province has the advantage of its very important geographic position, which is located in the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City, connected to the provinces of the Southeast and part of the Central Highlands provinces. Dong Nai has the second largest population in the South (only after Ho Chi Minh City). Another factor is that Dong Nai has a relatively favorable climate with its strong agricultural production, especially long-term industrial crops, such as pepper, cashew and rubber trees. Those are the potential to deploy the application nuclear technology. On the other hand, located within the key traffic system, Dong Nai can become a gateway for export via river, sea and air, especially when the Long Thanh International Airport is completed and put into operation. These are all important preconditions for bringing nuclear technology into various fields, serving the needs of socio-economic development in Dong Nai province.
In our opinion, Dong Nai can apply nuclear technology in four basic directions to serve the goal of sustainable development. Specifically, it is the application of high technology to enhance the added value of the product and participate in the process of creating a series of advanced technology products, not just for crude export. The second is the application of high technology to create new materials for crops and agriculture. The third is how to create a more secure and safer industrial environment.
Based on these criteria, we believe that Dong Nai is currently in strong development with the Center for Biotechnology. Together with its strengths in terms of geographical location, climate and province, it is necessary to create products with their own local features, including industrial plants. In this area, we can build a mutation breeding laboratory. That is, using radiation to create mutated varieties, thereby helping to select new varieties which have many outstanding advantages. There are many ways to create mutated varieties from radiation, such as installing laboratory equipment to emit radiation beams, and then inserting plant specimens into a room with laboratory radiation to check for the mutation. The matter that we emphasize and highly recommend to the province in this area is that the Gamma Garden should be built. The Gamma Garden is an artificial radiation environment; with the right amount of impact, it can create many highly productive crops that are resistant to pests and diseases. This model is being successfully applied in Japan. When it is applied effectively, the matter of serving the purpose of sustainable development is to actively create good seedlings that are resistant to pests and diseases, thereby reducing the amount of pesticides in cultivation, creating better quality of fruit and plants.
In addition, Dong Nai can apply nuclear technology to the health sector, such as building leading centers for cancer treatment and diagnosis; building training centers for use, repair and assembly of medical equipment; or building a medical radiology equipment production complex. Currently, most of the equipment in this area is imported, but the trained manpower capable of operation, maintenance and repair is still limited. In the country, there are no localities boldly making investment in this field yet. Dong Nai can also apply nuclear technology in the direction of investing in the construction of a manufacturing facility making security equipment which is capable of scanning containers as Dong Nai is the focal point for export. Every day there are thousands of containers of export goods, and it is very important to set up container scanning stations for customs clearance. The cost of constructing these stations is very expensive, even up to several million dollars. If we don’t have enough manpower capable of repair or maintenance in case of machinery failure, it will be a huge waste.
Most of all, we have to be technically competent, especially in cooperation. Which means that, with the technical staff and experts who are experienced in nuclear research, the Center for Application of Nuclear Techniques in Industry is ready to cooperate with Dong Nai in the process of deployment and technical application serving the peaceful purpose and development needs of the province. With the high determination of the local leaders and the support of the business, this model will be surely successful. The application of nuclear technology will contribute significantly to promoting the development of the province.
* R: Thank you very much!
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